We Can Do Hard Things

254. Dolly Parton: How to Make Decisions (Even If They Break Your Heart)

Oct 31, 2023

Legendary country singer-songwriter, Dolly Parton, joins Glennon Doyle on this heartfelt episode. They discuss starting new ventures, motherhood, and the heartbreak of rejecting Elvis. Dolly shares advice for an aspiring musician and talks about her upcoming book and rock album. They also delve into defying expectations, perseverance, and the importance of embracing both joy and pain.

41:24

Episode guests

Dolly Parton

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Dolly Parton emphasizes the importance of staying true to oneself and working hard to achieve dreams.

Dolly Parton believes in being brave and following one's dreams, even if they break your heart along the way.

Deep dives

Dolly Parton's Impact and Philanthropy

Dolly Parton discusses her various philanthropic endeavors, including the Imagination Library, which provides books to children, and her passion for mothering the world. She shares her belief in the importance of giving and accepting love, and the inspiration behind her hit song 'Coat of Many Colors', which symbolizes acceptance and overcoming bullying. Dolly also reflects on her career in the music industry, her love for songwriting, and the challenges she faced, including a difficult decision for self-preservation when Colonel Tom Parker tried to claim her song's publishing rights. She emphasizes the significance of staying true to oneself and working hard to achieve dreams.

Introduction

5min

Telling Stories of Underdogs and Outsiders

7min

Making difficult decisions and listening to one's higher wisdom

5min

Navigating Show Business and Recording a Rock Album

3min

Narrowing down songs, unexpected recording outcome, and using fashion as expression

5min

Defying Expectations

7min

The Importance of Perseverance and Dealing with Obstacles

6min

Embracing Adventure and Heartbreak

4min

In this special episode, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda sit down with icon Dolly Parton for a heartfelt conversation about how to start something new at 77, how she mothers the world, and how she broke her own heart when Elvis asked to record her hit song.

Plus, the advice Dolly would give to Glennon and Abby’s daughter, Tish, as she enters the music business.

About Dolly:

Dolly Parton is the most honored and revered female country singer-songwriter of all time and was recently inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Achieving 27 RIAA-certified gold, platinum, and multi-platinum awards, she has had 26 songs reach #1 on the Billboard country charts, a record for a female artist. Parton became the first country artist honored as Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year.

She has 48 career Top 10 country albums, a record for any artist, and 110 career-charted singles over the past 50+ years. On October 17th she is releasing her second coffee table book in a trilogy called “Behind The Seams: My Life in Rhinestones” and on November 17th her highly anticipated 30-song rock album, “Rockstar.”

To date, Parton has donated over 213 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library. Her children's book, Coat of Many Colors, was dedicated to the Library of Congress to honor the Imagination Library's 100 millionth book donation.

TW: @DollyParton

IG: @dollyparton

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