Country music artist Lauren Alaina joins host Ben Higgins for a raw, candid conversation about balancing career, motherhood, and profound personal loss. Lauren discusses the story behind her rising hit "All My Exes," co-writing with Ben Johnson, and how her journey through love shaped her songwriting. She opens up about navigating new motherhood, the challenges of touring, weaning her daughter, and missing milestones as she pursues her music career. Lauren also reflects on losing her father, the impact on her faith, writing music through seasons of grief and joy, and a moving family experience witnessing her stepfather's final moments. Dive into faith, resilience, family, and the stories behind the songs that connect so many listeners.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Lauren On Major Life Changes
00:01:10 Introducing Lauren Alaina
00:01:38 Behind “All My Exes”
00:02:26 Writing With Ben Johnson
00:03:13 Song Inspired By Broadway Days
00:04:20 Shifting Songwriting Styles
00:05:28 The Song’s Journey To Release
00:06:29 Writing From Past Relationships
00:09:16 Becoming A Mom: Benny Doll
00:10:21 Navigating Breastfeeding And Emotions
00:13:07 Parenting On Tour And At Home
00:14:24 Balancing Career And Motherhood
00:17:58 Challenges Of Leaving Her Daughter
00:21:07 Hard Choices As A Working Mom
00:26:15 Prayer And Healing After Loss
00:29:19 Songwriting Through Grief And Joy
00:37:14 Faith And Miraculous Experiences

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On this episode of If You Can Hear Me, Ben sits down with Shaunie Henderson, entrepreneur and creator of Basketball Wives, and Keion Henderson, senior pastor of The Lighthouse Church and Ministries in Houston. They open up about redefining success, slowing down, and leading a vibrant faith community together. Hear candid stories about transitioning from the hustle of LA to intentional living, the challenges and rewards of church leadership, and how marriage thrives amidst public scrutiny. The couple shares their unique takes on communication, evolving relationships, and what it means to truly listen and serve in today’s world.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Slowing Down With Intention
03:17 Life After Los Angeles
04:49 Feeling “Not Enough” and Letting Go
06:29 Basketball Wives Ends
07:54 Church Leadership Under a Microscope
08:26 Stories of Transformation at Church
11:18 Why Serve Through the Church
13:01 Protecting Personal Health and Awareness
13:38 Marriage, New Seasons, and Communication
15:21 Navigating Hard Conversations Together
19:19 Balancing Love and Leadership Roles
22:03 Differences in Leadership Styles
23:28 Stepping Into Church Leadership
25:07 Building a Hug Ministry
28:53 The Church’s Role in Society

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Comedian Pete Holmes joins Ben Higgins for a deep dive into comedy, faith, and finding true freedom. Pete shares personal stories—divorce, heartbreak, spiritual awakening through Ram Dass and psilocybin, and a journey from strict evangelical roots to embracing spaciousness and play. They dissect why we take life too seriously, the power of laughter to connect us, what spirituality really means beyond labels, and how Pete uses comedy to reveal our shared weirdness. Plus: thoughts on the afterlife, finding peace in uncertainty, Pete’s new special "Silly Silly Fun Boy", and why confession makes us less alone. Tune in for wisdom, honesty, and lots of laughs.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Comedy, Spirituality, and Freedom
01:04 Ben’s Comedy Envy
02:56 The Comedian’s Safe Space
04:26 Laughing at Darkness
05:46 Generational Humor Shifts
06:06 Spirituality and Playfulness
08:49 Lightness, Faith, and Identity
09:59 Breaking Free from Labels
13:39 Pete’s Spiritual Journey
18:49 Heartbreak and Rethinking God
20:14 Mushrooms and Awareness
21:33 Beyond Words and Spiritual Experience
22:51 Myth, Story, and Meaning
23:56 Finding Clarity in Doubt
25:11 Everyday Awareness and Acceptance
29:08 Life, Death, and Consciousness
33:09 Oneness, Afterlife, and Self
35:34 Bridging Comedy and Depth
38:16 Vulnerability, Confession, Connection
42:13 Laughter’s Healing and Holiness
46:45 Silly Silly Fun Boy Promo

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