Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins in the Studio! Plus, our First Ever LIVE Audience! | Sadie Robertson Huff

Summary

WHOA That's Good Podcast

Episode Title: Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins in the Studio! Plus, our First Ever LIVE Audience!
Host: Sadie Robertson Huff
Guests: Thomas Rhett (country music artist), Lauren Akins (author, philanthropist, nurse)
Date: March 25, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this landmark episode featuring a live in-studio audience for the first time, Sadie Robertson Huff sits down with country superstar Thomas Rhett and his wife Lauren Akins. They dive into their marriage, faith journey, family life with four daughters, adapting to fame, and the value of intentionality, transparency, and following God's lead in every season. The conversation is full of real-life wisdom, humor, and deeply honest reflections on their journey from childhood friends to partners in life and mission.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kicking Off with a Live Audience & Warm Welcome

• [00:55] Sadie expresses excitement over the first live audience and introduces guests Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins, emphasizing the significance of their story and its impact.

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2. Best Marriage Advice: Intentionality and Friendship

• [04:10] Sadie’s signature question: "What’s the best marriage advice you’ve ever received?"
• Lauren Akins:
  • "Don’t take it too seriously. Learn to laugh a lot through a lot of things. I just laugh to keep from crying."
  • Emphasizes the importance of staying best friends and keeping humor alive, especially as parents of four young girls.
• Thomas Rhett:
  • Stresses how marital advice changes with each season:
  • "It’s so easy—especially once kids start coming—to just become roommates, or just joint parenting partners. If you’re not intentional... you drift.”
  • Shares the importance of continuously dating your spouse:
    • "Her biggest thing for me this year... she's like, 'I just want you to get up at 6:00 so we can read our Bibles together before the chaos begins.' Waking up for me is the hardest thing on the planet." ([05:39])
  • Advocates for asking intentionally: "What do you need from me in this season?"

Notable Quote:

"Just continuing to ask each other, ‘hey, what are you lacking from me and how can I do better?’ ... Even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes before you go to sleep. My new version of continuing to date is just digging deeper."
— Thomas Rhett ([06:44])

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3. Sadie’s Heart Check-In Practice

• [06:49] Sadie shares a practice she and her husband have adopted:
  • "Ask your spouse how their heart is before bed... Sometimes in those new stages of life, it does feel awkward to transition into maybe asking more intentional questions, or getting up early, or going on a date. But it's worth the little awkward beginning."

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4. Their Love Story: From Friends to Lifelong Partners

• [08:43] Backstory:

  • Met in first grade; became close friends in middle school; dated briefly at 15–16.
  • Maintained close friendship through separate serious relationships.

• The Turning Point:

  • At 21, both found themselves newly single. Thomas Rhett called Lauren’s dad to ask for his blessing to confess his feelings.
  • Quintessential romantic moment inspired by the film "The Notebook":
    • "Why don't we just kiss and see what happens?" ([11:49])
  • Lauren: "I dare you."

• After one kiss, they dated six months and got engaged.

Memorable Exchange:

"He actually blocked me from going off... He stood up in front of me and was like, 'No one, please, just one kiss.' ... He goes, 'I dare you.' And I was like, 'Alright, fine.'"
— Lauren Akins ([12:05])

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5. Navigating the Explosion of Fame

• [20:00]

  • Thomas Rhett: "I genuinely had no plan beyond that year of touring."
  • Both believed he might not "make it" as a country artist—but God had other plans.

• [22:22] Describes how after two failed singles, his song "It Goes Like This" (written by his dad) becomes first #1 hit.

• "Die a Happy Man," their love story put to music, launches them into the public eye as #couplegoals.

• Lauren’s Side:

  • Initially hesitant about the spotlight, especially being in the now-iconic "Die a Happy Man" video.
  • (“I just hate the spotlight... If it's not, like, a safe place for me, it is, like, totally out of my comfort zone.”) ([28:05])
  • Over time, learned to surrender control and trust God's purposes.

Notable Quote:

"I have just learned to just trust him. And if he's gonna bring me somewhere, I know he's gonna, like, hold my hand and get me out on the other side. ... It’s not what I wanted to do, but I see his faithfulness through all of it."
— Lauren Akins ([30:09])

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6. Faith, Identity, and the Challenge of Success

• [36:29] Thomas Rhett talks candidly about confronting his need for affirmation:
  • "I was the most spiritually unhealthy human being. Publicly facing, I’m like, First Corinthians... but internally, I was dying."
  • Describes 2020 as transformational:
    • "For the first time I'd ever been taken away from the microphone, the stage, and affirmation… these last five years Jesus has chiseled on my heart more than I can ever fully remember." ([38:05])

Memorable Reflections:

"If you can't learn that true joy comes from the Lord, then you're always going to be searching for something that makes you happy. ... The more you actually think about it, anything is actually an option if you let it become that."
— Thomas Rhett ([36:29], [37:16])

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7. Calling, Missions, & Using Their Platform

• [41:50] Lauren describes her calling to missions and medical service.
  • First trip to Haiti coincided with Thomas Rhett’s career 'explosion'.
  • God used their increasing platform to support causes dear to their hearts, like Love One International.
  • "My heart just exploded that week... this is what I want to walk into."
• The whole family has since been involved in overseas mission and service.

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8. Parenthood: Guilt, Confidence, and Priorities

• [46:27] Sadie and Lauren swap stories about letting their work inspire their daughters rather than create guilt:
  • "Guilty parents raise confused kids." — Dr. Daniel Amen (referenced from a prior episode)
  • Be confident and clear about why and what you do.

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9. Balance (Or Not): Letting Go of 'Having It All' at Once

• [50:52] Thomas Rhett’s take:
  • "If you try to do both things at 100 all the time, you're just going to end up at 50 on both ends. ... If I'm at work, it's got to be 100% work. ... When I roll through the door [at home], the phone has to go somewhere else."
  • Be transparent, honest about what you need as a couple, and learn to say "no".

Notable Quote:

"I think just being able to be transparent with what you feel like you need with each other... I don't know that you can do five or six things at 100%. I think you're just going to be the last scoop of peanut butter in the jar, just trying to spread a little piece of bread."
— Thomas Rhett ([54:17])

• Lauren adds: Learning to pray about every opportunity, and sometimes, the calling is at home:
  • "The things I have for you are under your roof right now." — what she felt God told her ([55:00])

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10. Rooting in Faith: Letting God Build the House

• [58:46] Sadie references Psalm 127:
  • “Unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain... But he gives his beloved sleep.”
  • The peace comes in being obedient to God, not just chasing every opportunity.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Thomas Rhett on dating your spouse:
  "Just continuing to learn how to date each other, I think has sort of been the best piece of advice I've gotten." ([06:49])

• Lauren Akins on surrender:
  "To know truth and to be able to speak truth, but to believe and walk in truth are two very different things." ([30:09])

• Thomas Rhett on affirmation:
  "I've kind of been on a version of a stage since you were four… So many of the things that have twisted me… have always been either around affirmation or lack of affirmation." ([35:31])

• Lauren Akins on calling:
  "The Lord has so clearly told me, like, this is not what he has for me right now. ... If he said it, I know that it's for the best for me and my girls and for our marriage." ([57:51])

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Timestamped Highlights

• [04:10] - Best marriage advice: Laughter, friendship, intentionality.
• [08:43] - The story of how Thomas and Lauren met and reconnected as adults.
• [11:49] - "Why don't we just kiss and see what happens?" – The daring proposal.
• [20:00] - Early career uncertainty; betting on faith and each other.
• [28:05] - Lauren steps into (and wrestles with) the public spotlight.
• [36:29] - Thomas Rhett’s candid admission about the perils of success and growth.
• [41:50] - Lauren’s first trip to Haiti—a calling awakens.
• [46:27] - Parenting without guilt, inspiring kids by living authentically.
• [50:52] - No such thing as perfect balance; giving each area full attention in its season.
• [55:00] - Saying no, trusting God’s timing—even when the world doesn’t get it.

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Tone & Feel

• Warm, friendly, occasionally humorous and often deeply honest
• Consistent undercurrent of hope, faith, and practical wisdom
• Encouraging and relatable, despite the couple’s public platform

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Closing Remark

This episode is a heartfelt deep-dive into the tension, beauty, and sacredness of marriage, fame, and faith, offering listeners behind-the-scenes vulnerability and learned wisdom from a beloved couple.
Sadie's final words:

"You two are that and more. ... It's so refreshing to hear that you are the real deal... pursuing the Lord wholeheartedly, raising your family to know the Lord." ([58:46])

Lauren’s closing gratitude:

"Thank y’all for having us. It’s been a blast." ([61:05])

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For anyone navigating marriage, purpose, or change, this conversation will leave you saying—just like the podcast promises—“WHOA, that’s good.”**

Transcript

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

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[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

What is up everybody? Okay, today's episode is so special and I have been gatekeeping this for a long time. So I don't know if you know how real reality TV works, but you film it a little bit in advance. And so when we filmed this episode, I was pregnant with Kit and on this day it was actually we were back in the green room when Lauren told me that she was pregnant. They didn't know what they were having at the time, but now we know he's a little boy named Brave and he's in the world. So we have Kit and Brave. Two kids have been added and so a lot has happened since we filmed this episode. But I love this episode. It's the first time we ever had a live audience here in the studio. It was so much fun and I just love Thomas Rhett and Lauren so much. Their story is so incredibly powerful and I know you're going to learn from this episode, so I'm excited for you to watch this. And then also this Saturday on A E, you can actually watch the full episode on Doug Dynasty, the Revival. And if you don't have A E, you could also wait the next day and buy it on Prime. And so we hope you love it. And without further ado, let's get into the episode. What's up? Well, that's good, fam. Happy Wednesday, everybody. I hope you're having a great week, but per usual, it is about to get literally so much better because today is a very special day in the studio. Not only do we have two special guests, I'm Excited to tell you all about, but we have our first ever live audience. Let's hear it from the back. So for those of you who have been following. Boy, that's good. For a long time, y' all have heard me say this a million times. So one day, it would be so cool to have a live audience, because I always say, one day I'd love to have a talk show. And that's just, like, the next step. And we finally have been able to make it happen. And we're so excited and so grateful for people being in the room today to listen into this awesome conversation. And of course, for everyone listening, we're so excited for y' all to join in, because, like I said, we have a special. Two very special guests that y' all are gonna be excited about. We have Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins here in Louisiana. So welcome, guys.

[Thomas Rhett]

Thanks for having us.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yes.

[Thomas Rhett]

This is awesome.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And I didn't know that you were such a hu. Duck hunter, so.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah, for sure.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Right at home.

[Thomas Rhett]

For sure.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I was like, you might should have done the duck call room podcast, because my duck hunting knowledge is very, very.

[Thomas Rhett]

But you're going to go this year. You said you're going to go this year.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

This is my year. Yes. It's been shocking to everyone that I've never been, and that is really pitiful because obviously, for obvious reasons, but this is my year. I'm really excited to carry on my grandpa's legacy. My husband got to go with Pebble Phil many times, and so he's going to help me and the girls learn. So that's amazing. It's going to be great.

[Lauren Akins]

Little adventure.

[Thomas Rhett]

Y. Lauren hadn't been yet either, so maybe we should.

[Lauren Akins]

Well, I've been just not with you. I went with my uncle and my cousins growing up.

[Thomas Rhett]

Oh, that's right, you did. You never been with me. We should go together.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

We all need to come back to Louisiana and we'll all go.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah, definitely will.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And we can bring the girls. It'll be so fun, really entertaining, because honey, duck hunting would be quite the experience for everyone. Well, I asked the same question to everyone who comes on the podcast, and typically, it's, what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given? But when we have two people on, it can be a little harder. And so I'm going to ask you all more specific question. What's the best piece of marriage advice that the two of you were ever given?

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

Oh, I feel like a lot. I feel like the ones that are helping most Days now, just with our life in total chaos publicly, but also just at home with four little girls is don't take it too seriously. Learn to laugh a lot through a lot of things. One of my best friends is like, I just laugh to keep from crying. I do think that helps a lot of times. But I think just in marriage, I think staying best friends and what would you say it's good.

[Thomas Rhett]

I feel like it changes for me every year, the bits of advice, because they're definitely. It's different in your first couple years of marriage than it is when you get past the 10 year mark. And we're gonna celebrate 13 years this year, which is crazy, but I think it's so cliche because I've heard this for so long. But I think learning for me how to continually learn how to date your wife, even when you're, you know, five years, 10 years in, because I do think it's really easy, especially once kids start coming in the picture to become roommates or, or just like joint parenting partners, you know what I'm saying? Like, if you're not intentional with like her biggest thing for me this year, I've done a lot of therapy this year, and her biggest thing for me is like, I was like, what do you need from me in this season of life? And she's like, I just want you to get up at 6 o' clock in the morning so that we can read our bibles together and we can have 30 minutes before the chaos begins. And what's so funny is that waking up for me is the hardest thing on the planet.

[Lauren Akins]

That's like the one thing he's like, why anything else?

[Thomas Rhett]

Like, I'd rather go paint the whole house, you know what I'm saying? But just, I think just continuing to ask each other, like in seasons of life, like, hey, what are you lacking from me and how. And how can I do better in that area? But I think just learning how to be intentional because it is so easy, you know, after you, for us, after you put four kids to bed, 8:45, we are waxed. 9:00', clock, you're either waxed and you don't really want to get into the conversation you started earlier in the day that ended in argument or whatever. It's so much easier to turn on a Netflix show and just numb out the world, go to bed and then kind of forget the conversation ever happened. But I think the more intentional you can be about just digging deeper, even if it's just 10 or 15 minutes before you go to sleep, Is like my new version of continuing. Yes. Like, go to dinner and hold the door. Like, even just opening. I opened her car door last night for the first time in a minute, which is so sad. But it just made me feel like,

[Lauren Akins]

ah, usually we're shoveling everybody. We're like, oh, you got that side. I got this side.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's so sweet.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah. Just continuing to learn how to date each other, I think has sort of been the best piece of advice I've gotten.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's great. I love that so much. It's such good advice. So much in that I was thinking. So someone gave me marriage advice one time on the show, and it was pretty recently, and they were saying, ask your spouse how their heart is before you go to bed. And it was really cool to hear that, because probably six months ago, Christian and I were talking about that same thing, like, what do we need from each other now in this stage that we didn't necessarily. A couple years ago, I was like, I just want you to check in on my heart, because I don't feel as natural to just bring that up. And sometimes you want your spouse to ask you how you're doing based off maybe you're in a bad mood and you're waiting on them to ask instead of just saying it, which totally, I should be mature enough to just say it. But it helps when they're like, how's your heart? And then it kind of gives you the door. And it was just funny because she said that. So then that night, I thought about it, and I was tired, you know, again, so much easier just turn on a show. So I, like, turn on my show. I was watching it, and Christian was going to bed, and I was like, I need to ask him, like, how his heart is. So, like, I stopped the show, and I looked at him, and then I just kind of smiled because I was like, this is about to be awkward. And he was like, what are you doing? I was like, I'm about to ask

[Lauren Akins]

how your heart is.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And I just can't do it naturally right now because I know you're gonna be like, why are you asking me that? And so anyways, it gave us a good laugh. And I was like, but how's your heart? And it led us into such a great conversation. Then he's like, how's your heart? And it is kind of funny because sometimes in those new stages of life, it does feel awkward to transition into maybe asking more intentional questions or getting up early or going on a date. But it's worth the little Awkward beginning. And it actually is even kind of cute and fun. It's makes you feel like you're dating again where you feel awkward to ask something or nervous, you know? So I love that advice. It's so good. And it's cool that y' all have been friends for a really long time. I think y' all are friends before you even, you know, started dating. Can y' all tell us a little bit about how y' all met and when the relationship started?

[Lauren Akins]

Yeah, we have actually been friends. Really. I feel like middle school is when we got close, but we've been in school together since first grade.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Wow.

[Lauren Akins]

So we've known each other. Our families have been close forever. And then we decided it would be a good idea to try to date at 15 and 16, and it was not a great idea.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Didn't go great.

[Lauren Akins]

We were much better off friends in that stage of life, and we figured it out quickly. Well, I'd probably figure it out.

[Thomas Rhett]

She figured it out.

[Lauren Akins]

Figured out a little bit quicker than he did. I was like, I don't think this is gonna work.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

How long did y' all date for?

[Lauren Akins]

Like, not even a year.

[Thomas Rhett]

Not even a year.

[Lauren Akins]

Which at that, I feel like at 15 years old, it's pretty solid. I feel like it's a good length of time.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Feels long. Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

But then we just stayed really close, like, double dated. When he would. In college, he would come stay with me in Knoxville or stay at my boyfriend's apartment, actually. Yeah. And spend the weekend together.

[Thomas Rhett]

And we both had really serious relationships, like, after. After being 16. Like, I dated a girl for a really long time. She dated a guy for a really long time. And, yeah, I think both of us thought we were going to potentially marry.

[Lauren Akins]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

These other people. Wow. And that's, like a whole other long story.

[Lauren Akins]

Different podcast.

[Thomas Rhett]

Different podcast, part two. But we kind of, you know, we remained really, really close friends. Like she said, we double dated, and. And I went to college for a few years, and then I. I dropped out my junior year because I was starting to write and really wanted to sing, and. And I just found myself in this one moment, and we were, like, 21, I think, when I was single, and she was, like, freshly single. And I remember, totally heartbroken, by the way. Totally heartbroken. I remember calling her dad because even. Even through, like, dating other people, like, she always had this place in my heart on my mind, and it was. She was always sort of the bar for me. And so when I found out that her relationship was ending, there was this part of me that was like, oh. But then I was like, yes, like, you know, like, it's my time now. And I remember calling her dad, being like, listen, like, you. You know how much I love your daughter. And he was like, I know her dad is. Is a. An amazing human. And it was her sister's graduation party. And I called her dad, I said, I think I'm gonna tell Lauren how I feel about her tonight. And he was like, well, if you don't, I'm going to. That's what her dad said to me. And I was like, well, that would be really awkward. And. And so I remember, you know, that night after the whole crowd had left, it was like maybe midnight or 1 o' clock in the morning, and went on the front porch at her parents house. And I was like, you know, just kind of confessed my love and like, I just signed a record deal. And I was like, I think you would hate my life, like being on the road and all this kind of stuff. And you probably don't even like me anyway, but you should know that I love you.

[Lauren Akins]

And you actually said we can't be friends anymore.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah, I was at that point I was like, ready to like, not be friends anymore.

[Lauren Akins]

He was like, we gotta walk away from this friendship or we're gonna like, send it. And I was like, we are not sending it.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Wow.

[Thomas Rhett]

So I stole. I stole a line from the Notebook, which is arguably the greatest film of all time.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That was a good move.

[Thomas Rhett]

And I literally said, why don't we just kiss and see what happens? You know what I mean? I was like, I'm dying.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I love this song.

[Thomas Rhett]

And Lauren is not one to turn down Adair. Like, she will do anything. And I was just like, I dare you to kiss me. I knew that that was gonna seem.

[Lauren Akins]

He actually blocked me from going off my. I was like, this is. We can't do this. You've ruined our friendship. I'm gonna go to bed. I've gotta get up. We're doing the graduation ceremony bright and early. And I was like, we're not doing this. And he stood up in front of me and he was like, no one, please, just one kiss. What are you doing? Absolutely not. He goes, I dare you. And I was like, all right, fine.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Oh my gosh.

[Thomas Rhett]

And then we dated for six months and got engaged.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That is wild. That is a really good story.

[Commercial Announcer]

Foreign.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

If you could positively impact just one person's life with a small act of love, wouldn't you want to do it? I want to tell you about an organization that's really close to my heart called Love One International. Love One is a non profit providing life saving medical care, nutrition and rehabilitation to at risk children and families in Uganda. They're stepping in to help some of the most critically ill children, like kids facing extreme malnutrition and serious medical needs and providing the care that literally is saving lives. There's a really special way to get involved actually called the Love Club. It's a community of people like you and me partnering with Loved One to make sure that these kids receive consistent care all year long. When you become a member of the Love Club, you are helping loved one respond quickly when families have needs come up so we can support them and extend care to children who need it the most. For just $20 a month, you're helping provide nutrient dense meals to 10 malnourished children. And a little really does go a long way. As a thank you for joining the Love Club, you'll receive exclusive Love Club merch I plus the first 100 new members will also receive a free copy of my devotional book, how to Put Love first, which I'm super excited about. But y', all, this is an amazing ministry. Not to mention the people who are behind it are the most incredible people. I know them personally, I love them. I trust their heart so much. And what they're doing is truly changing the world. Also, if you've ever seen a malnourished child, you will know the heartbreaking thing that is to witness and to know that you're literally giving a child life. You're feeding them. It's so important. So 20amonth. You're feeding so many kids, y'. All. This is so worth it to be a part of. So join the Love club [e-mail] Whoo. Be a part of the community that's providing life saving care to critically ill children in Uganda every single month with Loved One international. Again, that's love1international.org Whoa. Please join today. Did you anticipate that happening at all or did it just hit you on the spot like, I'm going to dare her.

[Thomas Rhett]

I, I, I had nothing else. I didn't have anything to lose. I knew that I was about to be on the road for 300 days. I was like, I'm just gonna see what happens.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That is a full sin. So you went from like, you ruined our friendship and then you kiss and it was like magic.

[Lauren Akins]

Yeah, yeah, kind of.

[Thomas Rhett]

I was like, she saw sparks.

[Lauren Akins]

Well, because we truly knew just about every detail about each other, you know, like, it was. It really was like, a best friendship for so many years. And I felt like I knew every part of him except for that part, because even though he dated at 15 years old, not the same thing. And we had lived so much life in those however many years in between, and it was. I just didn't think. I didn't think that the romantic part could exist.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Hey, that just gave a lot of people hope, because there's a lot of people in the friend zone thinking, like,

[Lauren Akins]

you just don't know.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, you don't know.

[Lauren Akins]

You don't know. And I do remember after we kissed, I remember thinking, well, it didn't feel like I was kissing my brother. I was just like, well, maybe I'm into it. And so for a while, I kept looking. I'm like, I just got broken up with. Like, I can't promise you this isn't just a rebound. And so he was like, you played it so cool.

[Thomas Rhett]

Well, only because my dad and my stepdad said they were like. Like, you can't keep pressing in.

[Lauren Akins]

Like, you gotta play it cool.

[Thomas Rhett]

You gotta play it cool. And I'm not a play it cool kind of person. Like, if I. If I'm, like, in a relationship, I'm like, what are you doing? You know what I mean? Like, all right, good night. Love you. No, I love you more like that. That's kind of how I was. And so, like, I remember just like, you know, I think she said something like, I'm just trying to figure out if this is just, like, a rebound. And I was like, it's cool. Complete and total.

[Lauren Akins]

You're like, let's just roll with it and see what happens. I was like, like, really?

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

You were like, yeah, totally. I was like, sweet.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. That is so awesome. So I dated for about six months and got married. At the time, y' all were pursuing different things career wise, though.

[Lauren Akins]

I mean, you were finishing up nursing school.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Finishing up nursing school, which is no joke.

[Lauren Akins]

No joke. And he was touring. He was gone quite a bit. But I remember when we did start dating, he would come off the road and fly into Knoxville, which is a little airport, but he would reroute his flights just to come see me for even just a few hours sometimes or a day. And I cried when he left. And I didn't. I didn't want to be without him. And it was wild how my world just flipped upside down. I was like, I actually just don't ever want to spend another day without you. And so that's why we were like, well, how fast can we make this happen? And so a lot of people were like, don't rush into it. Y' all are young, which I felt like 21 compared to a lot of our friends, was young, very young. And we were just like, we know that this is what we want. And why. Why would we wait if, like, we've waited on so many things and we're done. We're done waiting. And so we got married fairly quick. Our. Our families were. Had our backs from the beginning through and through. And Virginia, his manager, always, I felt like, was a big support, too. And it was so much fun. It was so fun. And I do feel like we. We lived a lot of life, and we were really young, so we still learned so much about ourselves and each other and life and beginning tour. But it was really cool to get to do it together.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So cool.

[Lauren Akins]

Experience all that together. And. And now I feel like when we do hit those valleys or the hard seasons, it's like, okay, we've walked through so much, and our support system is just such a gift. And I feel like the Lord just knew exactly what we were going to need before he sent him on his career. And the family that we have, the friends that we have, the community, it's just been. I mean, it's been hard, don't get me wrong. Like, lots of ups and downs, lots of counseling, lots of tears. But for the most part, I look back on our life, I truly see the hand of God, and I'm just so cool, like, so grateful that he has allowed us to, like, partner with him on this giant adventure of this life that we're like, wow, we didn't see that turn coming. And it's fun.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's amazing. It's so cool. It reminds me of Christian and I, because we were 21, 22, when we got married, and his parents really wanted him to wait till he graduated college for us to get married. But we were like, we don't want to wait because we want to, you know, we want to experience. I wanted to move to Auburn to be with him so I could meet all his college friends. And, like, we didn't want to miss that time being together. And so one day, him and his mom were having another conversation about, you know, them wanting us to wait. And he said, mom, love can't wait. And that has become, like. That has become, like, a thing in the Huff family that they always love to bring up that love can't wait. And I'm really glad he said that. He was not a play. It cool person, either. He was the I love you more texter. And so I think we have a lot in common. Yeah, I appreciate that, and I'm so thankful. Yeah, it's a crazy ride, but you're so thankful. You have all those memories together from such a young age. And so it's cool because you said that was kind of before your career really took off. You were touring and stuff. But was it as big as. I mean, it surely wasn't as big as it is now, but where were you kind of at with your career?

[Thomas Rhett]

I mean, Lauren will tell you that she. I don't think she thought I was gonna make it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Well, okay, just in her defense, because I've heard her say something similar, and I was like, I think that's so funny. She was like, no, but let me clarify. I think he's the best of the best. It's not because he wasn't talented enough, but there's so much talent in Asheville, and it's sometimes not random. It's God given. Whenever it does kind of explode, but it's rare.

[Lauren Akins]

You watch a lot of people.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

She believed in you.

[Thomas Rhett]

But I also didn't think I was gonna make it either. Like, honestly, like, my plan was like, all right, I just signed a record deal, and when you're 21, somebody dangles $50,000 in front of your face, you're like, I'm rich. You know what I mean? And I was like, I'll do this for a year, and then I'll probably fizzle out. And then I guess I'll go back to college and finish what's left of my communications degree, whatever that fully means.

[Lauren Akins]

I'll work the night shift and she'll

[Thomas Rhett]

be a nurse, and we'll have some kids and we'll do the thing. So I genuinely had no plan beyond that year of touring.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Wow.

[Thomas Rhett]

And was very fortunate to. I mean, to kind of go back to why we even shared a bunk in the first place. I mean, she was dead set on being a nurse. And in our premarital counseling, our counselor said, I think that y' all need to spend this whole first year of marriage fully together. And so, like, looking back at it now, like, I don't think I realized how much of a detour I was to the plan that she had. Does that make sense?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

Best detour ever.

[Thomas Rhett]

The best detour ever for sure. But, like, looking back at it, like, I remember going to Knoxville, and she mean, she'd stay away till 4 o' clock in the morning, studying for the NCLEX or, you know, whatever exam it is you got to take to finish nursing school and how hard it was people to do. And so that whole first year, we learned a lot about each other that first year of marriage, because I think I played 230 shows that year.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Whoa.

[Thomas Rhett]

And so, like.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And you're still in nursing school?

[Thomas Rhett]

No, no, she was done at this point. You had finished at this point when I, like, got on that tour. Tour.

[Lauren Akins]

When we got married, I had finished school. I was studying for the nclex.

[Thomas Rhett]

Wow.

[Lauren Akins]

When we got married.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

So I was studying.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

And then on the road.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's wild.

[Thomas Rhett]

But none of us ever really saw. I never saw me going past playing bars.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And so what was the song? What was it like? Or I guess, yeah, take us back to whenever it all exploded. Did you see it coming?

[Thomas Rhett]

So I remember. I remember I put a single out when I was 22 that did fine. And then I put another single out that did fine. And in music. In the music world, countries a bit more forgiving, I think, than the pop world, but still there's kind of like a limit. Like a record label looks at you and goes, all right, man, that's kind of like two misses. So there was this massive pressure, right, to be like, all right, well, whatever the third single is, like, if the third one doesn't work, I don't know. I don't know if we're going to keep going. And I remember my dad is a songwriter, was an artist in the 90s, and he sent me a song that I loved and I played it for her and she loved it and we recorded it and that's. It was a song called It Goes like this. And it was. Became my very first number one. And then he sent me another song and then that became a number one song. And then the song that you. That you sang, that was my. That was my. The first song I ever wrote that became a number one song.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

So cool.

[Thomas Rhett]

And so like out of the gate, having kind of two misses, but then three hits in a row, which led me to my second record. And I put out this song called Crash and Burn that everybody in my immediate circle was like, this is a career destroyer. Because it's. It was not like looking back at it. I can't believe that country radio played that song.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Why was it so.

[Thomas Rhett]

It was just like a 50s doo wop country song. Like, I'd never heard anything like it in my life. Chris Stapleton actually wrote that song, which is wild and. But I knew that right after Crash and burn. I had this song coming out called Die Happy man. And everyone in my circle was like, we think this is a career changing song for you. And I'm just sitting there going, that's just a love song. You know what I mean? And so when that song came out, things started to really shift and change. And, you know, she was in the music video video for that. And I think that's when the whole couple goals, relationship goals, hashtag things were going around. And we're just sitting here trying to like, understand how do we even navigate this.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

You know what I'm saying? Because it went from literally, like I was just opening for people and playing in clubs. All of a sudden we're talking about my first arena, you know, headlining tour. And, you know, we're at award shows and I'm winning these awards and giving speeches and all the stuff. And it just like was. It felt like overnight. Even though it was like a five year transition, it felt like all of a sudden no one knows who you are to all of a sudden, like you're up there.

[Lauren Akins]

Well, even though his name was on the radio, I felt like we could still go out and do things.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

And then all of a sudden it was like, oh, every restaurant we go in, yeah, he's getting stopped and we're not able to just walk down the street anymore.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And it was. I remember when Die Happy man came out and I was totally in that era because I was in high school with like the relationship goals. And I was telling Lauren before this. I have such a vivid memory of my cousin. Well, she's my cousin now. She married into our family. But Brighton, she was like my best friend in high school. And Mary Kate, I don't know if Mary Kate would remember this if you were there that day. And Brighton was like, oh my gosh, have you seen this music video? You know, Die Happy Man. And she was like his wife Lauren is just so beautiful and she like never wears makeup and she wears her hair in a bun all the time. And like, she just thought she. You were like the coolest person. So I remember following Lauren and being like, oh, she is so cool. We really were so inspired by Oz's relationship and it reminded us so much of our life because like I said, you had y' all talking about going on like dates to Sonic and you just live such a normal, like small town lifestyle, which is really similar to how we live. And we thought it was really cool that, you know, you were gaining so much fame and married someone who didn't seem to really care about that. Like, you didn't. You didn't change at all. You know, you didn't start dressing different or looking different. You were just like, super authentic and so stunning and a really great person to follow. And yalls faith was always like, you know, known that y' all were Christians and stuff. So I think that's like, so cool. But take me back because like you said, it was a detour to your life. What was that like whenever, you know, not only did he become so famous, but die happy man, you did too. Okay, I know I'm not the only one. You know that stressful feeling when it's five o', clock, everyone's suddenly starving, and you're trying to figure out what to have for dinner. That's one reason why I love having good ranchers in our freezer. Having high quality beef and chicken from good ranchers stocked in our freezer makes life so much easier. If I know we've got a busy day, I'll just pull a steak, ground beef or chicken and we'll have a solid dinner on the table later without the hassle last minute grocery store run. It is just real delicious American meat ready when you need it. Another thing that I love is that good ranchers is 100% committed to American farms and ranches. From the pasture to the final seal on the box, the entire process happens right here in America, so I can feel confident in what I'm putting on the table for our family. I am a good rancher subscriber and I can tell you that it is so good for a flexible schedule. If you get busy, you're traveling, all the things you can pause, reschedule, order anytime. It is built for real life. And y', all, truly, this is like the greatest thing ever. I have gotten so creative now in the kitchen because I always have good meat. I made chicken sandwiches this week with my chicken that they had and I'm kind of weird about chicken. It has to be the right texture. It was so good, not chewy, Tasted so fresh. Really and truly, this stuff is amazing. To support a company that's committed to honoring America's past, present, and future, visit goodranchers.com today. When you start your plan, you'll get to pick a free meat that will be included in every order for life. And you'll get 25 off your first order by using my exclusive code.

[Lauren Akins]

Whoa.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Again, that's whoa. W h o A for 25 off your first order just to try good ranchers because they are that confident that you're gonna Love it. That's goodranchers.com. american meat delivered.

[Lauren Akins]

Right. I really had to get talked into that video. It was actually. We shot two on that trip. That and vacation.

[Thomas Rhett]

Yeah.

[Lauren Akins]

And one of our friends used to work on the North Shore of Oahu. Tough life. And we. He was like, you can use our house. And one of our good friends who's in the industry shooting videos and stuff, he was like, I'll do the videos. Because I was like, absolutely not. I told you before this. I just hate the spotlight. Like, if it's. If it's a room full of people that I know, that know my heart and I know are for me, I'm like, put me on a stage. Tell me to do something crazy. I'll do anything. But if it's not, like, a safe place for me, it is, like, totally out of my comfort zone, which. And for him, we couldn't be more opposite. He's been in every single talent show that's ever existed since we were little kids, and the lead in all the musicals, and it's just we're so opposite. And so when he's like, come on, it'll be fun. I'm like, no, it won't. You think it's fine. This is, like, not what I want to do.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Did you think, though, doing it, that it was gonna be, like, the success it was and it was gonna make you so. No, no.

[Lauren Akins]

I remember after. After it came out, I remember texting my girlfriends, and I was like, I'm so mortified. I was like, how many people do you think are gonna see this? They were like, well, everybody who follows country music is gonna see it. I was like, what? What did I do? And I'm looking at him going, like, trying, like, really battling, like, resentment because I'm like, you've drugged me into this. I know that. I agreed to marry you. I didn't agree to, like, also join in on the shows. And people are like, well, will she come on stage and do this? Will she present this for you? Will she come on this interview? Can we talk to your wife? I'm like, no, no, no.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I'm not the performer here.

[Lauren Akins]

You're the one who does this. And I don't remember the exact moment, but there were so many moments over time where I feel like the Lord was just slowly loosening my grip over the control that I thought I had. And especially out of my comfort zone where he was just like, this is the last thing you want to do, but I've got so Many plans, and you're just gonna have to trust me. And I felt like he really had just gone before me and everything that I had done up to that point. And I have just learned to just trust him. And if he's gonna bring me somewhere, I know he's gonna, like, hold my hand and get me out on the other side. I may not be, like, totally unscathed, but it's always been worth it. And I think just looking back over our life, I'm like, he really does, like, you know this in your brain, like, especially if you grow up in church or growing up with a family who, like, knows the Lord and loves Jesus, like, your brain knows the truth. It's one thing to know truth and to be able to speak truth, but to believe and walk in truth are two very different things. And that is the gift that I feel like he has given both of us, is pushing us out of our comfort zones in very different ways. And it's not what I wanted to do, but I see his faithfulness through all of it, and it truly does. I love adrenaline, adventure. I'm, like, here for all of that. So it kind of felt like a little bit like a challenge or a dare of just, like, yeah, well, you don't want to do it, but you're being asked to do it. And so that part has been fun for me. Just, like, seeing where he takes it, it's cool. And he's taken it to places I never dreamed we would be. I would be the family that we have, the life that we live now. I'm like, truly? I told him just a few months ago, like, through tears. I'm like, every dream I ever dreamed as a little girl, it has already happened and come true. I'm there. I'm living every bit of it, and I feel so unbelievably grateful. Even through all the tears and the hard moments, he truly does just pay attention to our hearts and wants to care for us and wants to love us and show how much he loves us. And so even though I kind of went kicking and screaming a few times, it's been so beautiful, and it really has been a fun adventure for the most part.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's so cool, and that's so real. Like, that's life, you know? You don't ever really get somewhere that you're trying to go easy in the easy route. And I feel like that's what shapes you and molds you and makes you become who you are and deepens your faith. I feel like it's like Actually so relatable to so many people, even though what y' all did isn't as relatable. You know, it's. Not everyone's a country music star and whatnot. But so many people get married, and then their life ends up not being what they expected because maybe their husband has to move for a job, or the wife's job takes off, and then he's staying home. It's like, it doesn't really quite pan out the way that maybe one of them expected while another one's getting a dream that they had always dreamed of. And that can be, like, a hard thing to navigate for you as your career is taking off. You're getting everything that you had been pursuing for so long, but it was so hard for her. How did you kind of just steward that within your marriage and your family?

[Thomas Rhett]

You know, looking back at that period, I guess this would have been, like, almost a decade ago. And, gosh, the things I've learned in 10 years. It's pretty wild. But I look back, like, do you. Do you journal? Okay. I'm not a good journaler. I've got, like, 15 different. I'd rather. I like getting the journal.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

You start it, and then you move on.

[Thomas Rhett]

And I write, and I'll write, like, the date and my name, and I'm like, yes.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Like, yes, yes.

[Thomas Rhett]

But I've committed. I have this one journal that I. That my manager actually bought me. On the front of the journal, it says, the best is yet to come. I don't even know what it means, but. And so. But it is so true. And I've committed. I mean, I've had this journal now for six years and still not completed. But I was reading back through it, and there are entries in there from eight years ago, seven years ago, and a buddy in our small group looked at me and said, man, you should read back through that journal and see the things that the Lord has answered. You know what I'm saying?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

Because you write stuff and you're just kind of like. And I feel like I've battled with the same thing my whole career. Like, I've always been like. Like, I was telling my therapist this the other day because I had to draw out this timeline of my life. The earliest memory of your life to now. And you had to put X beside the moments that you thought were pivotal for your life, whether it was for good or for bad. Right. And so the. The very first memory I have of my life is being four years old, and I'm wearing red cowboy boots a Diaper. And I've got. I've got a guitar on. And the photo itself is amazing because it's like. It reminds me of, like, how I grew up. But then when you watch the home video of that photo, it's me singing Pickup man, and I've got my entire family standing around me. And the moment I'm done, you can hear people clapping, and you can hear people saying, do another one, Tr. Do another one. And my therapist stopped me right there. He goes, let's talk about that moment. And I was like, okay. He was like, so you've. You've kind of been on the stage since you were, like, 19, but you've actually been on a version of a stage since you were four years old, right? And so, like, I look through my life and I think about all the things that have kind of twisted me or made me, like, not the best person to be around. And it has always been either around affirmation or lack of affirmation. Does that make sense?

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah, totally.

[Thomas Rhett]

And so, like, 2015, 2016 was the most affirmation I think I'd ever received in my life, and I really liked it. You know what I'm saying? And so I look back at our life during that time, and I'm not. I don't think I stewarded it very well, to be honest with you.

[Lauren Akins]

You.

[Thomas Rhett]

I think I wanted to try some things better just to make her. It was all the sake of making her happy. And this was. This was back in the time when I thought I actually could make my wife happy. And there are moments I think that I can. But if I look at myself as the pure, sole source of her happiness, I'm going to always let her down for forever, you know what I'm saying? And so it has taken me a decade to truly learn that, like, both of our sources of happiness comes from here, you know what I'm saying? Like, joy comes from the Lord, and there are things that we can do for each other that bring each other joy, but at the. At the truest self of your life, of your heart. If you can't learn that, that true joy comes from the Lord, then you're always going to be searching for something that makes you happy.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

That's right.

[Thomas Rhett]

And so for me, it was winning at all costs. It was success at all cost, you know? And then fast forward a year from. From then. That was when we were about to have our first child and adopt our first child and have our first biological. And I was the most spiritually unhealthy Human being, like, publicly facing. I'm like, First Corinthians chapter, you know what I mean? All this kind of stuff.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

And.

[Thomas Rhett]

But internally, I was dying. Like, I. I genuinely. I just liked what was happening so much that I think so much of me was being, like, sucked into the world so hard that it just kept pushing me and her like this, you know what I'm saying? And we have always said from day one, like, divorce is not an option. But the more you actually think about it, anything is actually an option if you let it become that.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

You know what I'm saying? And so around 25, 26 years old, I would say that we were living somewhat of a dag. I was living a double life, you know what I mean? Especially moving into adopting our first child and spending a year in Uganda, and she's, you know, five and six months pregnant. And I'm traveling. I'm playing a show in Arizona, and then I'm traveling back to Uganda, and then I'm going to New York and I'm going back to Uganda. Like, I can ever actually settle anywhere. You know what I'm saying? I'm fast forwarding a lot. It genuinely was not until 2020 that I actually discovered bits and pieces of who I actually was at my core, without a microphone, without a stage, and without affirmation, because it was the first time I'd ever been taken away from me, if that makes any sense.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yep.

[Thomas Rhett]

So these last five years of my life, I would say Jesus has chiseled on my heart more in these last five years than I can ever fully remember.

[Lauren Akins]

Wow.

[Thomas Rhett]

I'm not perfect. I'll never be perfect. But I would say, like, today, us looking at each other and being a married couple, I would say this is. I'm living my most true self now. She always sort of has been.

[Lauren Akins]

That's not.

[Thomas Rhett]

But, gosh, it is. It's just such a peaceful feeling.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's amazing today. So, yeah, it's amazing, truly. Thank you for sharing that. I can relate so much to your story and everything you shared with different aspects of my life, and it's really cool. Louie Giglio always says that he feels like. And he was kind of saying this in the sense of, like, preachers and pastors, but I think everyone probably has this. He was saying, I think, you know, you have, like, a couple just core life messages. Like, you know, Louis preaches on, like, four kind of central themes, and all of his sermons kind of go under. These four themes that he feels like are like, what God kind of burdened his heart for. And I think, like, Live Original is one of those for me. And I can think back to when I'm five years old and I was preaching on the countertop and my dad nicknamed me the original. And that's been like a life theme for me. But also one of the things that I've had to, you know, it's challenged me, you know, like, live Original.

[Lauren Akins]

Live who you were made to be.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Be confident in that, be authentic to that. Like, that's a. That's come with its own challeng challenges that I've faced with, like, really living out my message. And it's super interesting that what God has been showing you and teaching you revolves around, like, where your happiness enjoys. Place and die a Happy man was like the song that made you guys so known. And then God, like, from that song, it was almost like you're challenged with that message, like, are you actually gonna die happy, man? Are you gonna die a happy woman? And is it gonna be, you know, the mansion in Georgia or, you know, the sports car? No, it's actually going to be when your joy is found in the Lord. It's like, so cool how the Lord does that. And he weaves these stories and messages into your life, and you spend your life finding him in it. You know, it's amazing.

[Lauren Akins]

All right, moms.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

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[Lauren Akins]

went to Haiti right as dot happy man was coming. Like, he was doing the today show and the late night show, and he had this whole week of promo doing, like, the big things that you do when songs are coming out and promoting things. And that was the week, coincidentally, that a nurse had dropped out of this trip to go to Haiti. And I'd really been praying. I was like, I love supporting you. I love being your wife and watching you do what I truly feel like you were created to do. But I also feel like there's more that I'm not stepping into. And so we both been praying. He's like, well, let's figure out what that is. And a friend of mine, on a whim was like, hey, my aunt has this organization. They're going to Haiti in a couple of weeks, and they just had a nurse drop out. And I think that you should go. And I was like, oh, man. Like, that's such a tough week, because that's, like, the biggest week of his season, and I need to be there for him. And I'll never forget Thomas Rhett looking at me, and he was like, I think you need to go. I think you should go. And I think this is exactly what we've been praying for. And I think you go and you fulfill that need to go, put the work to use that you worked so hard for for years in nursing. But also, that was just a dream of mine, was to travel and serve in any kind of way, and in missions especially. And so I went. And I'd say this a lot, but I feel like, truly, when I went to Haiti the first time with Suzanne, who is the founder of Loved one international, I watched Suzanne serve in love on these kids. And we were around these kids and did this clinical that day. And the kids that we were caring for just. There was even a language barrier. I mean, only God. But I remember being with this little boy and taking care of him and watching Suzanne, and my heart just like exploded that week. And I feel like when people talk about meeting someone for the first time or like that love at first sight feeling like that's what I had when I was over there serving. And I was like, oh, my gosh, like this. This is it. Like, this is what my heart has been longing for and searching for. I feel like this is truly what I want to walk into. And so right about that time, that's when his career really started to skyrocket and. And he kind of pulled me into that. And so then my platform started growing right as I was getting on board with all things Loved One and what Suzanne was doing in Haiti and Uganda. And it was really cool to watch the Lord provide in a lot of ways for the organization that we run through his career and what that could point back to. And so it was just like such a full circle moment. And. Yeah. And now. Now our whole family is really involved and we go to Africa, you know, a good bit of our life, and we took our kids and they love it now. And just. I think they think it's kind of like going to Chattanooga. They're like, when are we gonna go back and hang out in Africa? Uganda is not just driving down chat, but it's really sweet. And it's been also just one of those dream fulfilling moments where I'm like, wow, he truly just went before us and took care of us. And that's been really cool to partner that where I feel like my passion is and partner it with his and find a way where the two worlds can live together and support each other. And it's tough. It's tough navigating when both. Because I thought once his career took off, I'm like, well, I'll just stay home and do things with the girls and. And. And it still is kind of that way. Like, what he does takes precedent because it's a lot more planning that goes into tour and stuff like that. But that's been hard kind of navigating both of us, which I feel like y' all deal with that a lot too. So it's hard. But it's also good, I think, for your kids to watch you do hard things and be like, I love you and you are my priority. But also, like, the Lord has called me to this and he is, like, the first priority. And I know that through him calling us to do things, like he is in. Like, in taking care of us and giving mommy and daddy these dreams and us obeying him. He's taking care of you even if we're not here or even if that's not what you want to be doing. And so that's been cool to watch our girls learn that alongside us.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

To see them, like, they're so inspired by what you. Like, when they saw him sing, they're like, that's what my dad does. Or probably getting to go to Uganda was like, the coolest thing for all to click, you know, for them. And Honey is the same way. Like, she. She loves to record her own podcasts at home. We're not actually recording, but she's always talking and interviewing her Barbie dolls, and it's so great. And it, like, makes you feel like, okay, you know, me going to work and doing this. Like, she sees the, like, the way that God made me and what I love to do and all this is. And, like, she wants to imitate it and, like, that's such a gift to get to see your kids. But one time, Dr. Amen was on this podcast and one of his advice to us, and I was like, this is so good. He was like, be a confident. Because he said, guilty parents raise confused kids. I was like, that has stuck with me. Isn't that so good? Because, like, sometimes out of guilt for how busy you are, what you do, you come home and then you parent out of guilt. And so you give them more than they need or, you know, say so sorry too much for what you're doing that you actually do feel called to or important. And he's like, be confident if that's what you're gonna do. And you feel God put in your life, go home and share with her how exciting your day was and what the podcast was like. And I really think that changed so much for me as a mom to confident enough to do that. And then I've seen how Honey's responded. Like, we've talked about whenever people come up and take pictures, and we were talking about how our kids have different reactions. Some like it and some don't. Honey loves it. She's always like, do you listen to my mommy's podcast? One time someone said they watched my TikTok video. She said, mom, what was that like? I haven't heard that one before. I'm like, yeah, that. That's what. That's. They're watching my podcast on Tik tok Yeah. You know, I'm like, we're not going on TikTok. But it was. Was just funny because it. It's sweet. I think that confidence has changed the way that they responded to what we do and stuff. And they're little, you know, we'll have a journey for sure.

[Lauren Akins]

We all will.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

But I think some of those things are important to learn as you go. One thing that is really cool because I remember die happy man. And then shortly after, whenever life changes came out and it was like, that song was so cool because it was like, what y' all are going through and you're adopting and you're having a baby, and it was so wild. And I think it was like such a breath of fresh air for, like, even country to have something that was just a real story. And then you're watching yalls lives on social media and a real family. Like, how this plays out and how God's in it all. Like, I just remember that thinking. That is so cool that they're sharing their life with the world. And it's cool that you have continued to share your life with the world, but you also do live a pretty private, chill, normal life. Can y' all speak a little bit just to finding that? I don't know that I hate the word balance because I feel like balance is such a hard thing to achieve and maybe not even always the accurate thing that we should even be striving for. But how have y' all come to the place in your life where y' all are both, you know, doing what you feel called to do and raising a family and kind of carrying that both. And it's like, yes, the Lord's causes, we're doing this, but we're also so planted where we're at. There's some advice to people kind of living in that double. I remember whenever we started low and I had all the what ifs, what if I fail? What if it isn't where I need to be? And looking back, I can see so clearly that God. God had his hand in the whole thing. Starting something new is exciting, but it's also very scary. And that's why I'm thankful for Shopify. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world and 10% of all e commerce in the US from massive brands to tiny startups. Team Low starts on Shopify every single day for managing inventory and staying on top of orders. It just works. You can build a beautiful online store with templates that actually match your vibe. And their AI tools are Game changers. They help write product descriptions, page headlines, even enhanced product photos. Plus everything's in one place. So inventory, payments, analytics, and they have a 24, 7 customer support. It really feels like you have a built in business partner. I think it's so amazing. For anyone starting out a business, this is the place to do it. Like I said, we do it for low duck. Commander does it. It's just honestly very simple and does everything for you. It's time to turn those what ifs into with Shopify today. Sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com Whoa. Go to shopify.com Whoa. Again that shopify.com Whoa.

[Thomas Rhett]

That, that whole like work balance, work life balance concept. I don't know that I believe in it anymore because I think if you, if you do both things, if you try to do both things at 100 all the time, you're just going to end up at 50 on both ends. And I think I tried to do it for a really long time, you know what I mean? Like I would try. Like if I had to go on the road on the west coast, like I remember there was a season where I would do my very best. Like right off the stage on a Saturday night in Salt Lake City, I would try to get on a plane and land in Nashville at 3 o' clock in the morning and think that I could get up at six, get four kids ready for church and pretend that I was having a great day. I was a zombie.

[Lauren Akins]

Yep.

[Thomas Rhett]

And I remember doing that just multiple, multiple weeks in a row, row. And I'm not saying that it's bad to do that because I do love like I do love getting home for church. But like even just in the past like couple weeks, I feel like I've had more confidence really being able to express the things that I, I call them needs maybe that I think I need. And so like I have been at this place in my life where like if I'm at work, it's got to be 100% work. Like I can FaceTime the kids and all that kind of mess. But like the thought of me trying to continue to separate myself and spread myself so thin in to make work happy and also make my family happy, then I'm just at, I'm running at like a 20 version of myself. The hardest part for me I think is coming home and really learning how to disconnect from my job. Right. Because when you do anything in sort of entertainment, it is kind of a 24, 7.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

Career, you know, What I mean, there's, there's always an interview to do. There's always. I love my day to day manager Harry so much, but it's like there's seven days a week where it's like, hey Buddy, you got 10 minutes for a few quick questions. And as you know, 10 minutes turns into an hour and you're trying to make decisions for your life that you just genuinely don't know if you're able to do them or not. And so like my biggest thing is like when I roll through the door, the phone has to go somewhere else, you know what I mean? Because my kids will look at me and be like, daddy, you are on your phone too much. And if a 7 year old is telling you that you're on your phone

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

too much, that's always a wake up call.

[Thomas Rhett]

It's a very, very valid thing to witness. And so I think just being able to be transparent with what you feel like you need with each other, it's the hardest thing to do in the world because all we want to do is. All I want to do is make her happy. And so there's so many times in my life where I've sacrificed every bit of. I'm exhausted, but I'm gonna. You know what I mean? I don't have the capacity, but yeah, let's host a baby shower or which I love you, but that's so cool. Hey, Lauren would host any of y' all showers, just so you know, know. And she's working on it. But, but at some point, like you do, I think you just have to really get in the weeds with each other and be like, hey, this is what next week looks like. And this is what I think I need for that week.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Yeah.

[Thomas Rhett]

And vice versa. And so I really don't know that you can do five or six things at 100%. I think you're just going to be the last scoop of peanut butter in the jar, just trying to spread a little piece of bread. But I think it's every year we try to, to get better and better at that. And like I'm, I feel so blessed to be in a position where, because when you're first starting out in any job, you kind of don't get to say no. You know what I'm saying? You say yes to everything because if you don't do it, somebody else is going to do it.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Y.

[Thomas Rhett]

You know what I mean? And so I feel very blessed at this point in my career to be able to look at a calendar and be like, okay, I think that is going to work. That is not going to work because of X. Yeah. And so I think when the. The more. The more we can plan with each other and the more we can get on the same page with, like, all right, that week is going to be hard. Hard. I think just the transparency with what you need I think is the best way that I know how to describe the balance.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

I totally agree. And it's a day to day thing and week to week thing, you know, And I think it kind of goes back to, like, the, how's your heart? How are you doing? Are you good?

[Lauren Akins]

What do we need to say no to? I think we also, in that same vein, I think you. You want to say yes to all the things. And. And so I can remember where I read this or somebody said it, but saying yes to whatever your yes is is saying no to everything else. And so in our life, that's his yes is no to family time for a bit. And that's okay because that's how jobs work. Like, you don't bring your family to work, but being able to separate the two has been a challenge, I think, for both of us. Us in just what we do. But even just saying no and not feeling like it's the end of the world if you can't do something, it's like, this is the phase of life. We're in the stage of life, especially with four littles. And. And I remember. I can remember years ago. I think we only had three at the time, but we were in worship, and I'm like, okay, Lord. Like, I think my platform had, like, kind of hit. Hit its peak, and people were asking us to do all these things. And I'm like, I will never forget John Eldridge teaching in one of his books, like, how he prays about all of their family decisions and. And work decisions. And he's like, you pray about it and you start to learn the Lord, say, yes, do it or no, don't. And so I'm like, okay, we're going to start praying about all this. I'm like, lord, I am ready. I'm ready for the next. Yes, the next thing you got for me, like, you've got me on this platform. We. I've got podcasting going on. I've done a book. Like, I can't wait for the next thing you have for me. And he so clearly was like, the things I have for you are under your roof right now. And, like, that is where I have you next. And it was just like this moment of like, total deflation of my pride. I was like, I know that we're gonna do something crazy because we'd been on this wild ride. And he was like, actually, that's not where I'm calling you. And I think just to be okay with even the world being like, why wouldn't you take this deal? Why wouldn't you start this thing? It's like, well, the Lord hasn't, like, released me to do that. Like, he very clearly was like, your girls are your priority, period. And if this doesn't fit into the life of you and your girls and you kind of holding the fort down at home while he has to go do some of this stuff, that's where I've got you. And you're just gonna have to say no. But having that peace. I'll never forget growing up. My mom would always say if I was at a party in high school or something, and she was like, if you feel uncomfortable or you know you're gonna get in trouble or, you know it's not a good idea, throw me under the bus. Like, make me and dad the enemies. Like, don't you can blame. Just blame us. Say, hey, I don't want to be grounded. Or, hey, my mom, oh, she's so lame. She's gonna pick me up at 10:30, and I can't. I can't get away from it. But I always love that because it did take the pressure off me. I knew I had a choice to make the right choice, but not feel like it was social suicide. And I feel the same about the Lord. I'm like. And even people that aren't walking with Jesus, I'm so confident now to be like, I know you may not understand this, but the Lord has so clearly told me, like, this is not what he has for me right now. And I'm at peace knowing that it doesn't make sense to anybody. But if he said it, I know that it's for the best for me and my girls and for our marriage. And. And so I think that has brought so much peace to both of us. Even, like, with you, I remember you turning down some insane show deal. And he was like, I can't believe I just said no to that.

[Thomas Rhett]

It's a wild story.

[Lauren Akins]

And he was like, But I felt like he told me not to do it. I'm like, great. He will honor that. Like, even if you don't see it this side of heaven, I believe that he will honor that. And he did, a couple weeks later, was very clear about why he did that and Thomas Jarrett was like, whoa, can you imagine if I had said yes and missed out on this opportunity or blessing or gift that the Lord is giving? And so I think that's helped us balance a lot and truly take the pressure off our shoulders to have to make every decision. And, like, is this good? Is it bad? Is this going to tank his career? Is it going to. And we just don't think about it like that anymore.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

It's such a freeing place to be. And when you lay your head down at night and you just have peace about what your tomorrow is going to look like based off of what you said yes or no to. And there's one of my favorite passages, Psalms 127, and it says, unless the Lord builds the house, the laborers labor in vain. It says, eating the bread of anxious toil, but he gives his beloved sleep. And I think that that is, like, such an accurate picture of what it looks like. Whenever you try to build the house and you're saying yes to everything, you feel like you have to strive to, you know, just do it because it'll be a win or it'll be a hit. And then you're anxious, like, you don't. There's no peace in that. But, like, when you let the Lord build the house, you say yes to the things you feel led to say yes to. You say no to the things you feel no to say led to. You let success be measured by your yes to the Lord. And then, then you have peace. He gives his beloved rest. And it's so true, and it's so accurate, and it's so cool to hear you say that. And I think it's cool, too. Going back to you earlier, saying, I hate the spotlight. I don't want to be in the spotlight. And then you actually, the Lord did something in your heart to go, I'm ready. Let's go podcast. Sign me up. And then you're like, the Lord's like, hold on now. That's actually not it. But you're willing to go, okay. Like, you're just riding the wave. You know, you're following the Spirit's prompting and leading. And I think one of the ways world sees people like, y' all have confidence to say no to things that maybe would make sense, but you're going to be with your family. They go, hm. It's kind of like in acts when they. The people are looking at them and they don't really understand why they're doing what they're doing, but they go, they must have been with Jesus because they're so different, you know, and that's certainly a marking on your life. You know, you said this at the beginning of the podcast when we talked about Revo. You're talking about what a gift gifted is to meet your heroes and then be the same. You too are that and more like to meet you guys, get to know you guys and know your heart and who you are. It's such a gift and so refreshing to hear that you are the real deal, you know, that you're honest to say I'm not perfect, not whatever, but, like, I'm pursuing the Lord wholeheartedly. We're doing what we're doing because God called us. We're raising our family to know the Lord. And so it's been such a gift to get to know y' all more. Thank you to the live audience for listening in. This is has been so much fun and such a joy, and I can't wait for people to hear it.

[Lauren Akins]

Thank you so much. Thanks for having us. I feel the same about Yalls family even just getting to be here and doing this and meeting all of Yalls people and friends and family is very much the same. Very much the same. So thank y' all for having us. It's been a blast.

[Host (possibly a podcast or show host)]

Y' all will be back. Duck hunting, duck season, whenever that is. It.