Get Real with Caroline Hobby

Enjoy this best of episode of Get Real from 2019 with Shawn Johnson!

Shawn Johnson started pursing her dream of gymnastics at 12 years old. At the age of 16, she took home the gold medal at the Olympics.  She explains how mental training and visualization was just as important as physical training for her big win. We talk about how she was lost after winning the highest award in her sport plus how it felt to win Dancing with t...

When Mandy Gonzalez steps on stage, you feel it—power, passion, presence. She rose to fame as Nina in In the Heights, shattered ceilings as Angelica in Hamilton, and defied gravity as Elphaba in Wicked. Now, she’s back on Broadway, transforming into the legendary Norma Desmond in Sunset Blvd., rewriting the rules of a classic role.

Her voice is unmatched. Her story? Even more powerful. A working mom, recording artist (F...

Greylan James rolled into Nashville broke, living in a rundown East Nashville house surviving on tomato soup and a dream. Before the hits, he was writing nonstop, and once house-sat for a hit songwriter — then threw a 200-person party without asking. The songwriter’s response? “Hope you have a great time — just let everyone know it’s my house.” Legend.

Greylan went on to co-write “Happy Doe...

In this episode, Caroline throws it back to her first podcast ever...Almost 10 years ago! And her first guest was Darius Rucker! 

Front man of Hootie & the Blowfish, and Country Superstar, Darius explains his musical journey. He conquered both Pop/Rock and Country radio, selling over 30 million albums. Darius couldn’t be more down-to-earth and hilarious as we talk, career, love, marriage, life, The Grand ole Opry, an...

Dusty Slay took the side door into stand-up — skipping LA, skipping NYC, and building a career straight out of Nashville. Now a headliner with his face on the wall at Zanies and over 40 Grand Ole Opry shows under his belt, Dusty’s the definition of doing it your own way.

Dusty breaks down the real steps of the comedy grind — from open mic purgatory to Netflix glory with his 2024 hour special Workin’ Man and ...

Rebecca Lynn Howard stormed into country music with “Forgive,” a powerhouse ballad that turned heads and proved her voice was the real deal. Not long after, Trisha Yearwood heard her play a song and asked to cut it on the spot—years later, they’d co-write Trisha’s latest single, “Girls Night In.”

Rebecca went on to form The Loving Mary Band, which became Steven Tyler’s personal band&m...

After bursting onto the scene in 2017 with their breakout debut album Hallelujah Nights, and 5X Platinum hit Greatest Love Story, Lanco rocketed to country music stardom. Fueled by chart-topping hits and infectious energy, they found themselves living at the top of the game—touring nationwide, appearing on late-night shows, and rubbing shoulders with celebrity friends. It was a whirlwind of success, and for a while, it seemed...

Iam Tongi is the Hawaiian kid who broke everyone on American Idol Season 23. He showed up heartbroken—his dad had just passed 3 months before. Music was always their thing. He almost quit completely. But his mom secretly signed him up for Idol anyway.

Then he sang “Monsters”… and the world felt it. That was the moment. He won Season 23, but losing his dad forced him to find his own voice, live, on televisio...

Naomi Johnson joins Caroline for this bonus episode of Get Real. Naomi answers some deep questions, including: If you could be famous for something, what would you want it to be? What's a gift someone gave you that you'll never forget? If you could make one wish come true for someone else, what would it be? When you imagine your happy place, where is it and what are you doing? What was the highlight of your day today?

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Naomi grew up off the grid—one of 11 kids living in a converted school bus, traveling the country, and even spending time in a cult. She learned guitar as a child, playing at gas stations to help her family afford life on the road. Now a wife and mother, Naomi is opening up about the full truth of her past—and the moment that changed everything. After nearly dying during childbirth, she gained a profound new perspective...

Megan is a four-time Emmy-winning ventriloquist, singer, and producer—and the first Black woman puppeteer on Sesame Street. She began teaching herself ventriloquism at just 10 years old, driven by a dream that would shape her life. Despite earning degrees in economics and finance and building a successful career in real estate, Megan never let go of her passion for performance. After years of performing on stages big a...

John Morgan’s journey to country stardom is the stuff of movies are made of. While chasing his dreams from small-town Sylva, North Carolina, a chance connection through an Uber driver led his music to Jason Aldean. Not long after, John got a life-changing call—Aldean himself offering him a record and publishing deal. Now, with his debut album Carolina Blue out, John shares deeply personal stories through his songs. One ...