Talk Y’all To Me

Tori Kruse

Talk Y’all To Me takes you backstage, on the red carpet, and behind the mic with the biggest stars and power players in country music.Hosted by Country Music Reporter & Red Carpet Host Tori Kruse, every episode brings you closer to the artists, songwriters, and industry insiders shaping the sound of country today.From fan-favorite moments to exclusive interviews, Talk Y’all To Me celebrates the heart of country music: the artists who create it and the fans who keep it alive. All access. All country. Let’s Talk, y’all. 

  1. FEB 17

    Part 2: When God Rewrites the Story | Brian Johnson on Storytelling, Gratitude & Helping Others Find Their Voice

    In this episode of Talk Y’all to Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Brian Johnson—author, producer, and storytelling coach—whose journey spans small-town Alabama, Hollywood sets, and faith-fueled purpose. Brian shares how he moved to Los Angeles with almost nothing, earned opportunities through service (not resumes), and learned the hard way what it means to know your worth. He takes us behind the scenes of Carpool Karaoke: The Series, opens up about overcoming suicidal thoughts, and delivers powerful encouragement for anyone battling loneliness, fear, or feeling “off track.” Plus, Brian reveals an unexpected story he’s never shared publicly—spending an entire day with Prince, witnessing his brilliance up close, and seeing what true excellence looks like when the cameras turn off. In this episode, we discuss: The “Talk Y’all” Mission: Why Tori created a space for real conversations with artists, leaders, and faith-forward creators Hope for the Hurting: Practical encouragement for anyone wrestling with isolation, anxiety, or suicidal thoughts From Skipperville to Hollywood: How Brian’s upbringing shaped his grit, discipline, and leadership Know Your Worth: The moment Brian realized he was undercharging—and what it taught him about value Carpool Karaoke BTS: How the series expanded beyond James Corden and what set life is really like The Prince Story: Why Prince made them restart the show—and how he edited it himself Faith & Conviction: What it looked like to go from “spiritual” to fully surrendered, and how Brian’s walk deepened over the last four years What’s Next: Brian’s full “rebrand and reset,” new books, and scaling his business with purpose If you’re in an unexpected season, trying to rebuild, or searching for clarity, this episode is a reminder: if you’re still here, God is not finished with you. 👉 Subscribe to @officialtorikruse for more heartfelt conversations and behind-the-scenes stories. Follow Brian Johnson: Instagram: instagram.com/brianjohnsonglobal 🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse 👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse 👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse 👉 Website: torikruse.com 👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

    32 min
  2. FEB 10

    Part 1: When God Rewrites the Story | Brian Johnson on Storytelling, Gratitude & Helping Others Find Their Voice

    In this episode of Talk Y'all to Me, Tori Kruse sits down with Brian Johnson—an Amazon bestselling author, Hollywood talent strategist, and founder of Book Rich Profits Club, a community for aspiring authors.  He worked on the 5 time Emmy winning series Carpool Karaoke: The Series and has talent produced for On Purpose with Jay Shetty and Getcha Popcorn Ready with NFL Hall of Famer Terrell Owens.  Brian opens up about why he walked away from the traditional "who are you wearing" glamour of LA to focus on cause-driven impact. He discusses the determination it took to move to California with just $325 and a red suitcase, and how those experiences now allow him to help others unearth the "treasures in their minds." In this episode, we discuss: - The Red Carpet Shift: Why Brian moved from interviewing celebrities at the Emmys to helping everyday leaders amplify their message. - The Art of Listening: How having "small ears but big listening skills" became his greatest asset in storytelling. - From Skipperville to the Spotlight: The journey of a dreamer who refused to let a small-town background limit a global calling. - The "Unexpected" Collaboration: A behind-the-scenes look at Brian’s work on Tori’s new book and the power of professional storytelling. - Faith & Resilience: Overcoming personal rock bottoms to build a brand centered on gratitude and the "Thank You God" mindset. Whether you are in a "becoming" phase or navigating an unexpected season of life, Brian’s story is a testament to the fact that your past doesn't define your future—your faith and your hustle do. 👉 Subscribe to @officialtorikruse for more insider stories from the heart of country music. Follow Brian Johnson: Instagram: instagram.com/brianjohnsonglobal 🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse 👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse 👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse 👉 Website: torikruse.com 👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

    20 min
  3. FEB 3

    3 Jobs, 4 Hours of Sleep, and a Dream: The Grit That Built Cassidy Daniels

    What does it actually take to go from working three retail jobs in Nashville to standing on the Ryman stage with Keith Urban and Blake Shelton? In this episode, Tori Kruse sits down with the powerhouse finalist from CBS’s The Road, Cassidy Daniels, to pull back the curtain on the "grit" required to make it in modern country music. Cassidy isn't your typical 25-year-old. Raised in a high-stakes military family with a Special Forces father and a sex crimes detective mother she moved to Nashville alone at 17 with a "now or never" mindset inspired by Taylor Swift. She shares the hilarious and exhausting reality of her early days, balancing shifts at Gigi’s Cupcakes, Ulta, and Victoria’s Secret by day, only to play the 10 PM to 2 AM slots in Broadway’s "crusty, dusty" dive bars by night. In this episode, we dive into: •The Ryman Experience: What it’s really like backstage at the "Mother Church" with Gretchen Wilson and Taylor Sheridan. •Yellowstone News: Cassidy reveals details about her upcoming appearance in the highly anticipated Beth and Rip Yellowstone spinoff. •The Next Chapter: The excitement of making a new record and having it produced by none other than John Osborne (of Brothers Osborne). •Appalachian Roots: How her family’s history in the mountains shaped her "yapper" personality and raw storytelling style. •The "Grit" Factor: Why playing to empty dive bars was the best training for commanding a national TV audience. Whether you’re a fan of The Road, a Yellowstone junkie, or just love a story about a woman working her tail off to chase a dream, this conversation with Cassidy Daniels is the shot of motivation you need. 👉 Subscribe to @officialtorikruse for more insider stories from the heart of country music. Follow Cassidy Daniels: https://cassidydaniels.com/ Instagram: instagram.com/www.instagram.com/cassidydanielsmusic/ 🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse 👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse 👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse 👉 Website: torikruse.com 👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

    16 min
  4. 11/07/2025

    The Heat Is Rising for Country Artist Adam Sanders

    Talk Y’all to Me with host Tori Kruse sits down with country artist Adam Sanders on the release day of his powerful new single “Bible in a House Fire.” In this episode, Adam shares the true story that inspired the song — a burned-down double-wide trailer and the image of a Bible untouched by flames. He opens up about his songwriting journey from Florida to Nashville, how he scored two No. 1 hits as a writer and what it means to “unlock” his authentic 90s-inspired sound. Topics We Cover: • The story and heart behind “Bible in a House Fire” • How faith shapes Adam’s music and success • Journey from songwriter to artist • Entertaining fan and stage moments on tour Whether you’re a country music fan, songwriter, or dream-chaser, this episode will remind you to keep your faith through the fire. Subscribe for more honest conversations with your favorite country artists, creators, and insiders. Follow Adam Sanders: instagram.com/adamsanders 🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse 👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: instagram.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Youtube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/talk-yall-to-me/id1512615315 👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse 👉 Website: www.torikruse.com 🎙️ Talk Y’all To Me hosted by Tori Kruse 👉 Follow Tori on Instagram: @officialtorikruse 👉 YouTube: youtube.com/officialtorikruse 👉 Tik Tok: tiktok.com/@officialtorikruse 👉 Website: torikruse.com 👉 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/torikruse

    37 min
4.6
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Talk Y’all To Me takes you backstage, on the red carpet, and behind the mic with the biggest stars and power players in country music.Hosted by Country Music Reporter & Red Carpet Host Tori Kruse, every episode brings you closer to the artists, songwriters, and industry insiders shaping the sound of country today.From fan-favorite moments to exclusive interviews, Talk Y’all To Me celebrates the heart of country music: the artists who create it and the fans who keep it alive. All access. All country. Let’s Talk, y’all.