The GodDog Podcast

Country artist Joe Bryson joins the GodDog Podcast to talk about surviving cancer at 18, nearly losing his voice, finding purpose through faith, and how Christianity changed the direction of his life and music.From Louisiana culture and songwriting to Catholicism, suffering, identity, and the pressure of the modern music industry, this conversation goes far deeper than country music.Joe opens up about:Being diagnosed with thyroid cancerThe fear of never singing againReturning to God during hardshipWhy being Christian is actually hardFaith in country musicCatholicism and denominational conversationsAuthentic songwriting and purposeBuilding a career without losing yourselfIf you’ve ever struggled with faith, purpose, suffering, or identity, this episode is for you.

Matt Gorman joins the GodDog Podcast to share the story of how three shoulder surgeries, a closed scholarship door, and one unexpected opportunity at Lipscomb brought him to Nashville.From baseball being his identity to discovering who he really is as an artist and follower of Christ, Matt opens up about the lonely writing seasons, chasing the wrong version of success, and the moment in church when God clearly spoke two words: “bones and blood.”This episode is about obedience, identity, generosity, and learning to seek God in everyday moments.Chapters0:00 – GodDog Intro0:47 – Prayer & Welcoming Matt Gorman4:20 – South Philly Roots & Baseball Identity8:58 – Two Shoulder Surgeries & Losing Division I Offers11:05 – The Third Surgery Decision15:43 – The Lipscomb Scholarship “Only Spot Left” Moment20:53 – Nashville Opens Up24:53 – COVID Cancels Baseball26:00 – Trying to Be an Artist (But Not Being One)30:03 – Writing 400 Songs to Find His Sound31:50 – Ernest’s Advice That Changed Everything39:57 – Not Writing for Nashville Anymore41:19 – If You’re Enough for God, You’re Enough46:10 – We Are God’s Workmanship (Ephesians 2)58:50 – “Bones and Blood” — Hearing God in Church1:01:28 – The Tumor Revelation1:08:56 – Paying for a Stranger’s Groceries1:12:39 – Generosity & Purpose1:25:33 – Final Thoughts & Encouragement1:27:01 – What He’d Tell His Younger Self

Luke Collins joins the GodDog Podcast to talk about walking away from the music industry, early marriage, and what it really means to say “Jesus is enough.”Luke shares:- Following Jesus in high school… then falling back into partying- Life on the road and working in Nashville publishing- The airport moment that led to sobriety- Leaving the industry and starting over- Why Jesus is the cornerstone — and a stumbling block- Marriage as the most sanctifying season of his life- Hunting becoming an idol- Learning to take God at His wordIf you’ve ever known who Jesus is — but struggled to live like it — this conversation is for you.Chapters0:00 – GodDog Intro1:19 – Welcoming Luke Collins5:46 – Growing Up in Franklin & Leaving College7:48 – Following Jesus… Then Falling Back Into Partying9:17 – Living a Double Life on the Road10:58 – The Airport Moment That Changed Everything11:49 – Two Years Sober13:37 – Why the Road Lifestyle Wasn’t Sustainable16:42 – “Cornerstone” Tattoo & What It Means20:58 – Jesus as the Stumbling Block26:39 – The Gift Is Jesus28:23 – “I Lack Nothing” (Psalm 23)33:13 – Job vs. Solomon: Why Nothing Else Satisfies39:20 – Marriage as Sanctification43:38 – Grace in Marriage49:58 – “Us vs. The Issue”51:20 – When Hunting Becomes an Idol1:06:50 – Working at Gunner1:15:25 – Advice to His Younger Self1:16:06 – “Jesus Is Worth It”

Steven Nix joins the GodDog Podcast to share the full story of his heart transplant, the faith that carried him through it, and what it’s like to face death head-on.Steven opens up about:Growing up in Mississippi and chasing music in NashvilleWalking away from the industry and finding peace outside of itBeing diagnosed with heart failure and deteriorating fastWriting goodbye letters, buying grave plots, and preparing to dieGiving his life to Jesus in the hospital before receiving a new heartWhat surrender actually looks like when life is on the lineThis is a conversation about mortality, obedience, fear, and the peace that shows up when control is gone.Chapters0:00 – 1:19 | GodDog Intro1:19 – Meeting Steven Nix & Setting the Stage3:29 – Growing Up in Mississippi & Moving to Tennessee6:37 – First Publishing Deal & Early Nashville Success9:02 – Why Songwriting Degrees Don’t Work12:36 – Leaving Music & Selling Jets14:24 – Hating the Life He Built in Nashville17:12 – Writing “Dying Man” & Stepping Away from the Dream27:37 – “I Was Actually Dying”: Heart Failure Diagnosis30:49 – When Doctors Ran Out of Options34:21 – Preparing for Death (Letters, Grave Plots, Family)39:19 – Starting the Conversation With God42:39 – Turning the Story Toward Jesus45:03 – Getting the Call: “We Have a Heart”46:42 – The Transplant Surgery (3.5 Hours)47:16 – Near-Death Complications After Surgery51:04 – Meeting Jesus in the Hospital52:36 – Being Baptized Before the Transplant53:50 – Three Birthdays, One New Life55:44 – Praying for God’s Will, Not Survival58:50 – Trusting God More Than Himself

Adam Sanders joins the GodDog Podcast for a deep, unfiltered conversation about faith, calling, and the long road through Nashville.Adam breaks down:Writing No. 1 songs for Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, and Dustin LynchNearly signing a major label deal (and losing it to Kane Brown)Walking away from control, surrendering his career to God, and what changed afterBuilding a life around faith, family, and the outdoorsHow that surrender led to The Road and ultimately winning The RoadThis episode is about obedience over outcomes, identity over success, and why letting go was the turning point.Chapters0:00 – Intro: Surrendering the Career to GodAdam shares the moment he finally let go of control.2:37 – Prayer & Setting the Tone4:31 – Meeting Adam SandersHit songwriter, artist, and The Road winner.7:39 – Growing Up in North Florida & Finding Music Early9:51 – Moving to Nashville, Construction Jobs & First Publishing Deal10:34 – First Big Break: Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party12:05 – Hearing His First Song Recorded (Ocean Way Moment)17:23 – The Outdoors as Therapy (Hunting, Stillness, God)23:25 – Learning to Slow Down Mentally & Spiritually30:43 – Lightning-in-a-Bottle Songwriting Years32:02 – Two No.1 Singles on the Same Day32:32 – “Real Men Love Jesus” & Industry Pushback37:14 – Streaming, Radio, and the Broken Music Economy47:03 – Almost Signing a Major Label Deal48:05 – Losing the Deal to Kane Brown49:44 – Realizing the Problem: No Brand, No Identity50:16 – Burning It All Down & Going Independent52:17 – The Prayer That Changed Everything53:10 – The Road, Obedience, and Letting God Lead55:12 – Why It Was Never About Fame

Country hitmaker Drew Parker sits down with the GodDog boys to talk through his musical career changes, hunting and walking through the moment God flipped his entire career upside down.From chasing giant whitetails to writing No.1 songs to hearing his unbelieving manager tell him he was “meant to sing about Jesus,” Drew unpacks:The prayer that changed everythingThe five-day miracle that confirmed his callingLeaving a major label + stadium tours out of obedienceHow grace actually works (not the version most people think)Why men struggle with pride and what real spiritual leadership looks likeThe story behind his first No.1 and becoming a dad in the same 72 hoursThis episode is part hunting camp, part music industry masterclass, and part gut-check for anyone feeling God tugging them into the unknown.If you’ve ever wrestled with calling, obedience, comparison, or stepping out of comfort this one is for you.

Country artist and guitar phenom Payton Smith joins the GodDog Podcast for an honest conversation about music, purpose, and faith. From growing up in Louisiana and chasing a Nashville dream at 14, to signing a record deal and releasing his latest project The Bridge, Payton shares the story behind the songs and the heart that drives them.We talk about life on the road, learning to balance calling with comparison, and how faith keeps him grounded in an industry that never stops moving. Payton also opens up about his passion for guitar — how he uses it as a second voice in his music — and why trusting Jesus remains the most important part of his journey.If you love heartfelt country music, powerful stories of perseverance, and conversations about purpose and identity, this episode will speak to you.In this conversation:Payton’s journey from Louisiana to NashvilleBreaking through with early releases and touring opportunitiesWriting and recording The BridgeThe role faith plays in his career and personal lifeStaying grounded through comparison, pressure, and growthWhy worship moments happen even on a country stage

On this episode of The GodDog Podcast, we sit down with Nashville songwriter Harrison Hackett to talk about redemption, calling, and the power of writing songs that point people to Jesus. Harrison’s story is one of grace and purpose - a reminder that no matter how far you’ve drifted, God’s plan can still find you. From brokenness to breakthrough, he shares how faith transformed his life, how he discovered his passion for songwriting, and what it really means to create music that carries eternal weight. In this conversation, we dive into: Harrison’s journey to finding redemption and hope in Jesus, From overdose to purpose, How songwriting became a calling, not just a career - What it’s like writing with and for other artists in Nashville, The importance of obedience, patience, and purpose in creative work, The heart behind songs that speak truth in a noisy world. Whether you’re a songwriter, an artist, or simply someone looking for encouragement in your own walk with God, this conversation is a powerful reminder that purpose can come from even the darkest seasons and that our gifts can point people back to something bigger than ourselves. Drop a comment and let us know which part of Harrison’s story resonates with you most. And don’t forget to subscribe for more honest conversations about faith, music, calling, and purpose.GodDog on all platforms: https://beacons.ai/goddogbrand

Josh Phillips is one of Nashville’s most respected songwriters, but his road to success was anything but easy.In this raw and honest episode of the GodDog Podcast, Josh opens up about his battle with addiction, the rock-bottom moment that changed everything, and how he turned his life around to write some of country music’s biggest hits. From writing for Jason Aldean and Brantley Gilbert to penning Cody Johnson’s emotional anthem “Dirt Cheap” as a solo writer, Josh’s story is one of redemption, faith, and perseverance.In This Episode:- How Josh overcame addiction and rebuilt his life- The wild story behind “Dirt Cheap” and how it landed with Cody Johnson- What it really takes to get songs cut in Nashville- Life lessons from one of country’s top songwritersGodDog on all platforms: https://beacons.ai/goddogbrandSubscribe for more conversations with the people shaping music, culture, and purpose.

We are honored to have none other than Mr. Randy Montana on this weeks episode of the GodDog podcast. Just incase you happen to live under a rock, here is a very small snippet of who Randy is:"Randy Montana is a Nashville-based songwriter known for his work with Luke Combs, Parker McCollum, and other prominent country artists. He's the son of country songwriter Billy Montana, and has penned hits like "Beer Never Broke My Heart" and "Better Together" for Combs, as well as "Pretty Heart" for McCollum. Montana was named Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year at the 2020 MusicRow Awards." (Via Google) and trust us when we say, thats just scratching the surface of how talented Randy is in the writing room.We had the honor of chopping it up with Randy about everything from his days as an artist, transitioning into only being a writer, getting his first hits as well as his day to day life as a dad & husband. Hope y'all dig this episode as much as we did.