I sat down with Samantha Dudley to talk about a life that started with circumstances she had absolutely no control over — and what she chose to build from them.

Samantha was taken from her mother at just 18 months old, along with her siblings, because of alcoholism, abuse, and neglect.

She spent much of her early childhood as an orphan, from 18 months until around eight years old, and remained in foster care until age 12.

But there was something Samantha had almost from the beginning:

Music.

She says she has been singing since she was three years old.

Influenced by artists like Whitney Houston and Monica, Samantha continued developing her voice throughout childhood. At 12, she became the first singer to perform at a Diane Moore Dance Academy recital and later performed with different choirs and vocal groups.

Her story eventually expanded beyond music.

Since 2012, Samantha has been producing films alongside her partner, Chase Dudley, while continuing her career as an R&B/Soul singer and songwriter. She also brought those worlds together by contributing music to film projects including Payton's Burden.

But this conversation isn't just about singing or making movies.

I wanted to understand what happens inside someone who experiences childhood trauma, parental alcoholism, abuse, neglect, separation from siblings and family, orphanhood, and foster care — and still finds a way to create something with their life.

Samantha and I talk about her childhood, being removed from her mother, growing up in the foster care system, discovering her voice, music, songwriting, filmmaking, and continuing to pursue both film and music today.

That's what GITT Up with Adam Larkin is built around.

I want the story underneath what people see today.

The childhood.

The adversity.

The decisions.

The failures.

The sacrifices.

The opportunities.

The turning points.

And what somebody did with the hand they were dealt.

GITT Up with Adam Larkin brings you raw, long-form conversations with CEOs, entrepreneurs, creators, and people with incredible comeback stories.

We talk about business, entrepreneurship, leadership, success, failure, addiction, recovery, adversity, health, fitness, faith, and the experiences that shape people into who they become.

I want the stories behind the highlight reel.

The failures. The risks. The rock bottoms. The sacrifices. The turning points. The comeback.

CEOs. Entrepreneurs. Creators. Comeback stories.

Real people. Real conversations. Real lessons.

From Rock Bottom to Redemption.

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GITT Up with Adam Larkin From Rock Bottom to Redemption.

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