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Brittney Spencer  delivers thought-provoking insight on everything from race to romance and adult peer pressure to gun violence on her just-released debut EP, “Compassion.” She moved from Baltimore to Nashville in 2013 to pursue her dream of writing and performing country music despite not seeing anyone who looked like her in the format when she was growing up. At first, Brittney vowed not to talk about race in country music circles, but the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder case later that year led to her awakening on social justice issues. We talk about the importance of representation, staying true to herself and her journey to making "Compassion".  You may have heard Maren Morris shout out Brittney during her CMA Awards acceptance speech last month. Brittney had a songwriting session with Maren, Amanda Shires and Jason Isbell the day before we recorded this conversation. Her cover of The Highwomen’s “Crowded Table” on social media earned Brittney an invitation from Maren and Amanda to join The Highwomen onstage for a performance whenever they resume live appearances.

Hit songwriter/artist Luke Dick is one of the creative people in Nashville that keeps music interesting for us. His left-of-center perspective shows up in hits he’s co-written for Eric Church (“Kill a Word”), Dierks Bentley (“Burning Man”), Kacey Musgraves ("Velvet Elvis") and he just received his first Grammy Nomination for Country Song of the Year for co-writing “Bluebird” with Miranda Lambert and Natalie Hemby. For what is surely his most personal project to date, Luke enlisted Dierks, Miranda, Patrick Carney of The Black Keys, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby and Jackson Dean to help him create the album Music from the Documentary Red Dog. On both the album and in the film, Red Dog, Luke and his mom, Kim, tell the story of the people at Oklahoma City’s Red Dog Saloon, the topless bar where Kim worked as a dancer when Luke was a kid. In this conversation, Luke tells us what inspired him to create the Red Dog documentary and album, how he found his people in Nashville’s music community, and how he keeps challenging himself to grow creatively.

Patrick Droney is here to tell us about his brand-new EP, State of the Heart. We’re both huge fans of Patrick’s music, and his life experience as a musician is just unbelievable. He started opening shows for B.B. King and James Brown as a teenager and has been mentored by some of rock’s most influential producers — Danny Kortchmar and Glen Ballard. He even tells us about having dinner with Joni Mitchell! Over the last four years, Patrick has found a creative home in Nashville's songwriting community while also contributing a track on Kygo’s latest album, Golden Hour, which also features Whitney Houston, OneRepublic, Kim Petras and more. Patrick tells us how mindfulness and meditation has transformed his life this year and why he’s committed to bringing the saxophone back to pop music.

Ryan Hurd is here to talk about his latest EP, EOM, which features his hit, “Every Other Memory,” and songs he’s written for other artists like “What If I Never Get Over You”, which became a #1 for Lady A, and “Heartless” by Diplo featuring Morgan Wallen. We talk about the importance of expanding your worldview and the lessons he’s learned on his journey to becoming a hit songwriter. He also tells us about how he and his wife, Maren Morris, have settled into their lives as new parents to their son Hayes, who was born in March. We also get into Ryan’s role as a budding fashion icon, the reasoning behind him covering Taylor Swift songs, and why it is so important to he and Maren to speak truthfully about how they see the world.

Jesse and Stevie Frasure are here to talk about how they balance their life as a married couple running their own business at the top of the Nashville music industry. Jesse is an in-demand songwriter/producer who’s worked with everyone from Thomas Rhett and Jon Pardi to Kelsea Ballerini and Kylie Minogue. Stevie is the VP at their publishing company, Rhythm House, which they run as a joint venture with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Jesse, who has DJ’d some of music’s most exclusive parties under the name Telemitry, just released an awesome new project called “Calm Springs”. The instrumental album evokes the glory days of Frank Sinatra’s time in Palm Springs in the swinging ‘60s and provides the perfect soundtrack for your cocktail party, trip to the spa or ride in a hotel elevator.

Hardy is here talking with us about the creative risks he took on his new album, “A Rock,” which includes his current hit “One Beer” featuring Lauren Alaina and Devin Dawson. The project features a harder rock sound than we’ve heard from Hardy before, and Ashley and Hunter ask Hardy about their favorite songs from the album, including “Give Heaven Some Hell” and “Unapologetically Country as Hell.” Plus, Hardy tells about the rocket ride of co-writing Blake Shelton’s monster hit, “God’s Country,” gives us an update on the Beer Olympics party he and girlfriend Caleigh recently hosted, and shares the backstory behind his new powerhouse softball team "The Recoupables" with fellow country stars Morgan Wallen, Jordan Davis, Ernest, Chris Lane and more that’s getting quite a reputation in Nashville.

Caitlyn Smith is here to celebrate the deluxe edition release of her sophomore album, “Supernova,” featuring a collaboration with Old Dominion on “I Can’t.” The project came out earlier this year just as we all went into quarantine, so Caitlyn tells us how the album has evolved for her as she performs it during virtual concerts from her home. Caitlyn also opens up about her experience finding her artistic voice after becoming a mother and what it was like to write Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton’s final duet “You Can’t Make Old Friends” and Meghan Trainor and John Legend’s “Like I’m Gonna Lose You.”

Rissi Palmer is here to talk about her new Apple Music Country series, “Color Me Country.” The show shines a light on the rich history of Black, Indigenous and Latinx people in country music, and Rissi tells us why the success of Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” inspired her to start the series. Rissi also tells us about her own experience as a black woman making country music on a major level in the 2000s. We also dig into her inspiring latest album, “Revival,” which addresses issues of social justice and the pressing need to keep speaking up for equality in America. Plus, Rissi explains the relationship between her daughters Grace and Nova, describes the ongoing influence of ‘80s television on our need for “pageantry” and explains how she’s seen the banning of The Chicks from country radio play out over the last decade.

Our good friends Allison and Jay DeMarcus are here to talk about their new Netflix docu-comedy “DeMarcus Family Rules,” and this is truly one of the funniest, wackiest episodes in “All Our Favorite People” history. The series offers a look at the couple’s crazy, hilarious family as they juggle parenthood, Allison’s work in the pageant world, and Jay’s hectic life as a musician, producer and member of Rascal Flatts. We’ve known Jay and Allison for a long time, so this conversation gives you a peek behind the scenes of “DeMarcus Family Rules” before veering off into topics ranging from Kevin Costner’s eulogy at Whitney Houston’s funeral to Vanna White’s wardrobe budget for “Wheel of Fortune” and that time Madonna blessed their daughter Madeline. To paraphrase the great Iyanla Vanzant, this chat happened at the appointed time AND the anointed time.

NEEDTOBREATHE front man Bear Rinehart is here to talk about the band’s brand-new album, “Out of Body.” It was recorded before the world went into lockdown with the pandemic, but the project’s message of hope and overcoming hardship is tailor-made for 2020. “Out of Body” is NEEDTOBREATHE’s first release since Bear’s brother Bo left the band, so we talk about that transition and how the band set their creative intention moving forward. Bear and his wife have also had three sons since NTB’s last release, so he shares how fatherhood has impacted his life. He also tells us the most hilarious story from his college years! And since Ashley is a longtime fan of the band, she shares her all-time favorite NEEDTOBREATHE songs and concert moments.

All Our Favorite People's Fifth Season kicks off Tuesday, September 1 with NEEDTOBREATHE frontman Bear Rinehart! We're talking about all the band's new album, Out of Body, out now.   Also, Ashley and Hunter talk about their new shows on Apple Music Country! Check out Ashley hosting Guest List Radio at Apple.co/GuestList and Hunter hosting PROUD Radio at Apple.co/Proud.

Tenille Townes is here to talk about her major label debut album, The Lemonade Stand. She tells us about the making of the album, finding her voice as both a vocalist and songwriter, and connecting with listeners who have started to make The Lemonade Stand their own since its release. We also talk about being raised in a family of strong women, that time she shared the stage with Shania Twain, and what she's learned from Miranda Lambert and Lori McKenna. Tenille also explains why she started her annual Big Hearts for Big Kids concert, which to date has raised more than $2 million dollars for emergency shelters that serve homeless and at-risk youth.

Russell Dickerson is here to talk about life, new music and how he’s preparing for fatherhood! Russell and his wife, Kailey, are expecting their first child in September, and he tells us about the moment it really hit him that he’s about to have a son. With three consecutive #1 singles to his credit, Russell shares several stories behind the songs and what fans can expect from his upcoming sophomore album. The new project will feature his latest songs “Home Sweet” and “Love You Like I Used To.” We also talk about home projects, how he’s staying sane during the pandemic, the art of making Tik Tok videos and the real story behind why he started the “Wine Glass Challenge.”

Gina Miller is a music executive, mentor, musician and one of the most inspiring people we know. She is the General Manager and Senior Vice President of Entertainment One in Nashville, helming projects from gospel luminaries John P. Kee, Shirley Caesar and Michelle Williams as well as shepherding the music of James Fortune, Jonathan McReynolds and many more. In this conversation, Gina graciously makes a space for an open and honest talk about the reckoning over racism currently happening in America and how we can move forward, while Hunter and Ashley both explore the ways they can foster change among their respective families and friends. Gina shares with us the deeply personal purpose behind her initiative, “Beautiful Girl, you are already enough,” and tells us about the legacy she wants to leave in the world.

Our friend Michael Ray is here to talk about making the most of his time while off the road during quarantine. He’s been recording a new studio album with all of the musicians working remotely, and shares with us what fans can expect from the new project which follows his latest hit single, “Her World or Mine.” Michael is also hosting a Honky Tonk Tuesday video series playing the classic country songs he was raised on while also welcoming some of his favorite artists, including Phil Vassar, Mark Wills, Jeff Carson and more. We also talk with Michael about how he’s lending his voice in support of racial equality and his history of standing up for the LGBTQ community.

We’re catching you up on everything we’ve been reading, watching and listening to in the past few weeks. Ashley has been inspired by new books from Disney CEO Robert Iger and Glennon Doyle and can’t get enough of Charles Esten’s new Netflix show, Outer Banks. Hunter checks in on his Barbara Mandrell interview coming out next week as well as the Willie Nelson breakthrough he just had while also celebrating the end of binge watching the 80s TV show Hotel — all 115 episodes! Plus, we’re toasting the second anniversary of All Our Favorite People!!

Hugh Howser is back by popular demand for another round of big laughs in the midst of lockdown! Buckle up as Hugh shares his passion for Bette Midler, his reaction to Neiman Marcus filing for bankruptcy, and how he came up with his latest quarantine-inspired characters, Peggy Publix and Kathy Kroger. Plus, we get an update on his Great Aunt Tootie’s 90th birthday celebration, complete with elaborate yard art and his thoughts on ‘80s celebrity lifestyle VHS tapes from the likes of Angela Lansbury and Knots Landing’s Donna Mills.

One of Nashville’s most beloved singer/songwriters, Grammy-winner Lori McKenna joins us from her home just outside Boston to talk about her brand-new album, The Balladeer, due out July 24. The first song from the project, “When You’re My Age,” featuring her frequent co-writers Hillary Lindsey and Liz Rose, is a love letter from parents to their kids as they grow up and move forward with their own lives. Grab your tissues for this one. We discuss the stories behind several of the songs on her album including a tribute to her sister, “Marie,” and “The Dream”, which was inspired by storyline from the hit NBC show This Is Us. We talk about Lori's approach to songwriting, her friendship with Hillary and Liz, and she shares with us where she goes to find inspiration when she feels stuck creatively. Lori’s songs “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town) and “Humble and Kind” (Tim McGraw) were decade-defining songs in country music, and she continues to pen new songs with Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Sara Bareilles. We also talk with Lori about her experience writing songs for Lady Gaga’s A Star Is Born, and what it was like holding Oprah’s hand while Faith Hill sang a gospel song on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

And now, here’s the rest of our conversation with Kristian Bush! We’re talking about everything pop culture-related from Tom Hanks taking selfies on Kristian’s phone to  Kristian’s celebrity crush Laura Linney living down the street from him when she was filming Ozark in Atlanta.  Kristian also shares his favorite British shows to binge during the quarantine, teaches Ashley about the joys of Absolutely Fabulous, and tells us about some next-level murder mystery games. Hunter gives his revelations from recently rewatching Forrest Gump and Fried Green Tomatoes back-to-back. Kristian explains how he questioned his creativity as a songwriter and what he did to move forward.

Speaker, Unspoken podcast host and author Ruthie Lindsey is here to talk about her new memoir, There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness, to Healing, which tells the redemptive story of her journey from living in her bed due to chronic pain and prescription drug dependency to her life today as a seeker embracing wholeness and joy. She chronicles the loss of her beloved father, the end of her marriage, and explains how she came to unlearn the story of brokenness that defined her life for so many years. We also get an update on some reconciliation Ruthie has made since the book was finished.