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Daily dose of motivation, empowerment and insights to help push positive and progress in all forms!
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A light-hearted and honest weekly news show recorded in a backyard shed and covering the latest stories, developments, and rumors in the world of politics, sports, and the paranormal. If you like world news, Bigfoot, the NBA, UFO's, college football, conspiracy theories, unexplained phenomena, and the NFL, this is the show for you!
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The Thoughtful Bro, hosted by Mark Cecil, is a podcast for writers, readers, and anyone interested in a tale well told. Each episode features an author who's recently published a book, and we unpack how and why they wrote it. It's "Inside the Actors Studio"...but for storytellers.
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The Country Heat Weekly podcast, hosted by Kelly Sutton and Amber Anderson, brings Amazon Music's Country Heat playlist to life. Every week Kelly and Amber deliver the vibrant world of country from Nashville to Austin and beyond – entertaining listeners with today's top tracks, sharing country music news, sitting down with beloved artists, celebrating country music history, and highlighting future stars.
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Episode 80 Poisoned Farmland, NFL and College Football, & Whether or Not Garth Brooks is a Serial Killer
2:08:26
Topics discussed on this episode include why life is good, the return of Brian Stelter to CNN, how much of America's farmland has been poisoned, thousands of missing migrant children, a Fantasy Football dispute that led to criminal charges, NFL and college football, why Harvard says aliens might already be on earth, the dangers of A.I., the Top Ten…
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Our Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist to Watch, Wyatt Flores, joins us for an honest conversation about his ongoing battle with mental health and his journey of healing. We also dig into his backstory and explore the deep layers of his debut album, Welcome to the Plains. Wyatt shares the stories behind several tracks, including one of his favorites,…
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Today’s guest is someone who has embraced our mission at Country Heat Weekly: to show that there's a place for everyone in country music. Joy Oladokun joins us around our imaginary bonfire to share an inside look into the kind of music that filled their home growing up and the journey that led them from songwriting for other people to becoming an a…
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President Nixon declared October "Country Music Month" back in 1970, and we will celebrate all month long with a wide range of artists who make up today's Country Music. Dylan Gossett joins us from the West Coast to talk about his musical upbringing and a cover of a Bob Dylan classic that you can ONLY find on Amazon Music! Kelly and Amber help you …
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My interview with CJ Leede on her latest freshy-fresh horror novel American Rapture. We got into (1) America's puritan resistance to/capitalist obsession with sex, (2) how to find your authentic writing voice/genre, and (3) rescue dogs! Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. …
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Keith Urban's new album, High, is out now and to celebrate, he joins us in the studio to discuss the makings of his first album in almost four years. From scrapping an old project, to miraculous writing sessions, finding the perfect title and more, he shares it all. Plus, we dive into the stories behind a few of our favorite tracks like "Chuck Tayl…
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Fall means Luke Bryan's Farm Tour is underway and we've got the funny origin story behind the concept - straight from Luke himself! Kelly and Amber deliver the latest country music news and perspective from a NEW studio, and reveal their plans to see Kelsea Ballerini's sold out show at Madison Square Garden. Plus get the perfect fall bonfire playli…
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Nominees for the CMA Awards have been announced and Kelly and Amber have the big takeaways: Who was included, who was snubbed, and what is Old Dominion thinking right before their name is called? Plus Amber talks football with Jordan Davis, Dustin Lynch Riley Green and more! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Not…
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On this episode, Wes breaks down tonight's Presidential Debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, giving an honest assessment of what happened, giving you takeaways from the night's events, and letting you know how it will impact the Presidential Election moving forward. Join Wes in the Shed for a must listen ep…
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Wes is once again joined in the Shed by Timothy Doaty II, host of the Cerebral Chaos podcast, to preview the NFL season. Together, Wes and Doaty give their Top 10 Quarterback Rankings, make bold predictions, give a division-by-division breakdown, predict the winner of this year's Super Bowl, and preview the week's upcoming games. Join Wes and Doaty…
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My glorious conversation with 2-time National Book Award winner Jesmyn Ward, discussing her latest novel, Let Us Descend. Topics included: (1) gaining hope and strength by remembering what others have borne; (2) making invisible history visible; and (3) finding authorial authenticity through concrete specifics. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. …
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Good news Garth Brooks Fans! Garth's entire album "Time Traveler" is coming to Amazon Music - the exclusive streaming home for Garth's music. To celebrate, we're encoring Part 1 of our chat with Garth last fall. Part 2 is linked below! https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/8b0cf1f8-ea72-4ee7-ad89-39ec6474ee87/episodes/43e31e68-5154-4f7a-b524-619e06deb3…
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Episode 77 Astronauts Stuck in Space, The Return of College Football, & The Legend of the Kandahar Giant
1:43:39
Topics discussed on this episode include Wes' inability to recognize when people are wearing wigs, the current state of play in the presidential race, the bombing of the Nord Stream pipeline, a massive revision in the most recent jobs report, Kamala Harris wanting to build that wall, astronauts stuck in space, predictions for the upcoming NFL seaso…
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We are closing out August with CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year, Lainey Wilson! This Louisiana native is back in the Country Heat house to celebrate her recent induction into the Grand Ole Opry and of course, her just-released album, "Whirlwind," which perfectly sums up this past year of her life. While answering some burning questions inspired …
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Wes is joined in the Shed by host of the national sports talk show Crain & Company, Jake Crain, to preview the upcoming college football season. Together, Jake and Wes break down the playoff picture, talk about national championship contenders, the impact of the transfer portal and NIL on the college football landscape, evaluate the In the Shed wit…
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With Alison Espach, author of the instant bestseller The Wedding People. We discussed (1) her long, unpredictable process of writing her hilarious, absurdist mega-hit, (2) how writing a great book is often about letting characters just be honest and forcing them “stay in the room,” and (3) truly the *best piece of writing advice* I’ve heard in a mi…
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We celebrate the release of Thomas Rhett's new album "About A Woman" by looking back on our live podcast taping with TR at CMA Fest 2024. From the writing to the recording to when he lets his wife hear the music, Kelly and Amber get all the scoop - including why TR can't coach his daughters' sports teams and why Lauren is a super hero. See Privacy …
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Episode75 The Lost Episode: Biden's Doctors Fear He Looks Too Young, ESPN 8 The Ocho, & Miami Mall Monsters
1:43:48
Topics discussed on this episode include a baby squirrel in CVS, a found dinosaur toy, American troops abandoning a military base in Niger, the city of San Francisco appointing a non-citizen to serve on the city's election commission, former CNN host Brian Stelter running for schoolboard as a Republican in New Jersey, President Joe Biden's doctors …
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Y'all, it's official! We have reached the 100th episode of Country Heat Weekly, and here to celebrate with us is the dad by day, country music superstar by night - Luke Bryan. He gives us a realistic update on life in the Bryan household with teenage boys and his wife, Caroline, takes us through the makings of his upcoming album, "Mind of a Country…
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An inspiring conversation with two-time Oprah Book Club pick David Wroblewski. His first novel, The Story of Edgar Sawtelle, was a #1 New York Times best-seller, and now, 16 years later, he’s back with his second novel, Familiaris. We discussed (1) his writing process of overwriting, then pulling back (2) the unique ways novels seep into readers’ l…
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Episode 74 Iran Tried to Assassinate Trump, NFL Quarterback Rankings, & The Bermuda Triangle
1:41:55
Topics discussed on this episode include Wes playing injured, Taylor Swift and ISIS, the FBI alleging that Iran tried to have Trump assassinated, a former Police Chief arrested for raiding a local newspaper, the alarming rise in cancer among young people, a woman who accidentally drove to Mexico, Charles Barkley staying with TNT, Jim Harbaugh's ban…
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Kelly's back from New York City with a full report on Carrie Underwood's Central Park concert and return to American Idol. She and Amber dig into the week's other big news including upcoming albums, a very special Grand Ole Opry debut, and give a sneak peek at an upcoming chat with Lainey Wilson! Check in on Instagram to let us know where you are l…
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Topics discussed on this episode include the historic prisoner trade between Russia and the United States, controversy swirling around popular YouTuber Mr. Beast, a woman in India who survived being tied to a tree for forty days, a Florida woman who drowned her roommate's spider in ginger ale, Auburn football's recent recruiting gains, NBA and NFL …
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For this week's episode, we have reunited with Amazon Music Breakthrough Artist Nate Smith to discuss everything he's accomplished since he last sat down on the podcast in 2023 - and there's a lot! Nate took us inside his gratitude journal as he reflected on some of these highlights, which includes celebrating a 10-week No. 1 hit, earning an ACM Ne…
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A masterclass on thriller writing with bestselling phenom T. J. Newman, whose third novel Worst Case Scenario, follows the terrifying story of what happens when an airplane crashes into a nuclear power plant. We discussed (1) how to keep creative hope alive, and when to move on, (2) how writing about the heroism in everyday people invites readers i…
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Episode 72 Emergency Podcast- Trump Survives Assassination Attempt & Biden Drops Out of Race
39:14
Topics discussed on this episode include the attempted assassination of former President Donald J. Trump, President Joe Biden dropping out of the 2024 presidential election, and the implications of both events on our nation, political climate, and culture.由Wes Anderson
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Pumping Literary Fire straight in ya veins on my latest with Mateo Askaripour, discussing his new one, This Great Hemisphere. Topics: (1) taking big risks after a bestseller (2) shaking up the publishing industry, and (3) helping people feel seen. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mig…
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Y'all better buckle up because this week on Country Heat Weekly, we're sittin' down with Koe Wetzel! The Pittsburg, Texas native takes us on a wild ride through his musical journey as he reflects on his football days, rowdy times on the road, and finding his sound. Of course, Kelly and Amber also dig into his brand-new album, "9 Lives." You may thi…
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We're celebrating the release of Avery Anna's 2nd album with a bonus encore. First we'll peek into the new project, "Breakup Over Breakfast" and then we'll revisit our Season 3 Chat with Avery which includes her Arizona upbringing and an embarrassing encounter with Shania Twain. Kelly and Amber take you behind the scenes of a special release party …
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With National Book Award winner M.T. Anderson, on his debut novel for adults, Nicked. We discussed: (1) the blurry boundary between YA/adult fiction, (2) the identity of his true intended audience, and (3) how great titles begin to tell the tale before you turn the first page. He also reads aloud the opening paragraph of the story, one of the fines…
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Kelly and Amber have star spangled recaps of 4th of July Celebrations from coast to coast, including performances from Chris Young, Willie Nelson, Lainey Wilson and more! Plus eavesdrop on Kelly's chat with Kelsea Ballerini to get the backstory on her duet with Noah Kahan and the scoop on when to expect her upcoming album. Next Week on Country Heat…
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This encore episode features Tim McGraw in the studio discussing his brand-new album, Standing Room Only. Eavesdrop on this wide open conversation about the music business, his new album, and what life looks like at home for Tim and his wife, Faith Hill now that they're empty nesters. He even got a geography lesson from our hosts! In addition to ca…
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With debut novelist Sara Shukla, on her satirical, absurdist and emotionally satisfying beach reach, Pink Whales. We discussed (1) making sure you have a solid story beneath the humor; (2) figuring out the formula of comedy through trial and error, and (3) how she finally gave up on writing that Big Important Literary Novel, and started just having…
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We're hitting you with a wave of nostalgia as Sam Hunt joins us live from CMA Fest! We take a walk down memory lane while Sam tells us all about his transition from college football star to highly accredited songwriter to country music superstar. Plus, Sam opens up about what life looks like now as a husband and father of two. Kelly and Amber get s…
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With Derek Black, on their new memoir The Klansman’s Son. We discussed Derek’s journey from being the child of the head of the KKK, to their renunciation of their white supremacist beliefs and becoming an anti-racist. In an America where the GOP presidential nominee is openly adopting planks of the white nationalist platform, Derek is sounding the …
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Eavesdrop on old friends as Carly Pearce steps into the Center Stage Spotlight with a live audience. Fresh off the release of her stellar new album "Hummingbird" Carly reveals the back stories on song creation and the behind the scenes magic on the cover art. Plus she shares what Tim McGraw is REALLY like on tour and a special moment with Faith Hil…
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In the first of four live tapings from CMA Fest, Thomas Rhett spills the tea on his upcoming new album "For A Woman." From the writing to the recording to when he lets his wife hear the music, Kelly and Amber get all the scoop - including why TR can't coach his daughters' sports teams and why Lauren is a super hero. Pre-Save "For A Woman" on Amazon…
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With Garth Risk Hallberg discussing his second novel, and first in nine years, The Second Coming. Topics included: (1) the unique benefits of writing *very* long books; (2) Tom Wolfe & the sprawling, all-inclusive NYC novel; and (3) how/how not to deal with sudden, massive literary fame. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thou…
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Ready or not, CMA Fest 2024 is here! Kelly and Amber have some inside scoop on Nissan Stadium performances, and how you can join our LIVE podcast tapings! Plus go behind the scenes of a very special night with Kelsea Ballerini and Trisha Yearwood, and check out new releases from Kameron Marlowe, Terri Clark and Chris Housman. See Privacy Policy at …
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With bestselling author and A Mighty Blaze co-founder Caroline Leavitt. We discussed her 13th novel, Days of Wonder, then went deep on a subject we’re both obsessed with: story structure. We covered (1) the importance of presenting your book's main question in the first chapter, (2) the pros of workshopping your synopsis before writing, and (3) how…
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It's almost time for Country Music's Biggest Party - CMA Fest! To get you ready for our live series from Fan Fair X, we're bringing you an encore of last year's live episode with Brothers Osborne! You'll laugh a LOT, we promise. If you are in town for CMA Fest 2024 don't miss Country Heat Weekly LIVE Tapings with Sam Hunt, Thomas Rhett, Carly Pearc…
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With former FBI Director James Comey discussing his second novel, Westport. We chatted re: (1) the truth/falsehood behind popular mystery genre tropes, (2) the importance of a reliable bad cop to any investigation, and (3) his prognosis on the Trump Trials. Listen to Mark's first conversation with James Comey. Order Mark's novel Bunyan and Henry. A…
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We're back in Nashville and brought SO many exclusive interviews from backstage at the ACM Awards with us! We got to hug Lainey Wilson moments after her historic win for Entertainer of the Year, talk to Chris and Morgane Stapleton about their partnership, and check in with Dan + Shay about reclaiming their Duo of the Year title. That just scratches…
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Everything you need to know about Country Music's Party of the Year! Kelly and Amber are podcasting deep in the heart of Texas for the 59th ACM Awards - hosted by Reba McEntire. Listen as they chat with nominees, performers and early winners ahead of Thursday night's Awards! Plus get a sneak peek at performances from Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Thom…
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With 5-Under-35 and Orange-Prize-winner Téa Obreht, discussing her third novel, The Morningside. We chatted re: (1) the necessity of an urgent emotional connection to your work; (2) what can/can't be taught about writing; and (3) today's fraught political climate for artists. Order Mark Cecil's novel Bunyan and Henry. All episodes of The Thoughtful…
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With just a week to go until the 59th Academy of Country Music Awards, Kelly and Amber are gearing up for the big event the best way they know how - by chatting with this year's host, Reba McEntire! What kind of "Fancy" outfits will this country queen bring to the stage this year? What will her performance look like? Are the nerves kicking in yet? …
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Kelly and Amber are back from Stagecoach and brought a wagon load of exclusive interviews with them! When will we get new music from Hardy? What's Miranda Lambert's take on the Music Industry? What does Wiz Khalfia think about country music? They'll answer all of those questions and more as they recap California's Country Music Festival. See Privac…
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My convo with debut bestseller Doug Westerbeke, author of A Short Walk Through A Wide World, about which The New York Times says, "Imagine The Life of Pi, The Alchemist, and The Midnight Library rolled into one fantastical fable.” We covered (1) struggling to nail the ending, (2) writing the adult fairy tale, and (3) why sometimes "the best way to …
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The list of things we have to talk about with Jelly Roll is LONG: His first trip to Stagecoach. Collaborating with T-Pain for Amazon Music. Honoring a country music legend. The four ACM Awards Nominations he forgets he has. Rodeos. Tattoos. Headlining Madison Square Garden. Pull up a chair and put on your comfy slippers (like Jelly!) to listen in a…
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Did you miss us? Because we missed you! Kelly and Amber are BACK in the Country Heat house in Nashville for Season 5! We dig into Beyoncé's just-released "Cowboy Carter" album and the impact it's making for Black country artists. We also explore Amazon Music's new "Bonfire" playlist and hear Darius Rucker's response to some of our burning questions…
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