Walker Hayes wasn’t an “overnight success.”

He was a songwriter for two decades. A dad of six. Clocking in at Costco at 4AM. Drinking. Burning out. Still writing anyway.

In this episode, Walker talks about what it really looked like before “Fancy Like” — the years where bagels felt like a luxury, security felt like a trap, and quitting felt like the responsible move.

Then we go to the hardest day of his life: losing his daughter Oakley on the same day he was supposed to perform on TV — and watching his wife fight to survive. Walker tells the truth about grief, rage, and the moment he realized he was about to make it worse.

This is a conversation about sobriety, purpose, family, and what success does and doesn’t fix.

Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard 

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Rho Nutrition: https:/rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Athletic Brewing: ⁠https://athleticbrewing.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction and Welcoming Walker Hayes

(00:20) First Hunting Experiences

(01:05) Learning from Father-in-Law

(05:50) Reflecting on Life and Career

(10:47) Overcoming Adversity and Sobriety

(29:59) Tragic Loss and Perspective

(41:09) Embracing Life's Challenges

(42:04) The Best Grapes Face the Most Resilience

(43:31) The Overnight Success Story

(45:46) The TikTok Dance That Changed Everything

(48:42) Balancing Family and Career

(53:06) The Importance of Hard Work and Grit

(58:13) Navigating Social Media and Public Perception

(01:04:51) Homeschooling and Raising Diverse Kids

(01:07:05) The Value of a Supportive Partner

(01:11:39) The Challenges of Parenting Teenagers

(01:17:24) Navigating Parenting Challenges

(01:19:07) The Business of Music

(01:21:01) Venturing into Merchandise

(01:23:47) Collaborations and Social Media

(01:28:20) The Pressure of Success

(01:39:56) Emotional Vulnerability and Brotherhood

(01:44:43) Reflecting on Personal Growth

(01:48:13) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices