'The Songwriter’s Journey of Tom Douglas: Faith & Failure to “The House That Built Me”

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🟥 GUEST: TOM DOUGLAS (#tomdouglas)
🌐 Website: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomdouglasmusic/
💠 About: Tom Douglas is a Grammy-nominated, CMA and ACM Award-winning songwriter and a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. Renowned for his emotional, cinematic storytelling, he has penned timeless hits including “The House That Built Me” (Miranda Lambert), “Grown Men Don’t Cry” (Tim McGraw), “I Run to You” (Lady A), and “Little Rock” (Collin Raye).

His accolades include the ACM Song of the Decade, CMA Song of the Year nomination, Grammy and Golden Globe nominations, and a Triple Play Award recognizing three No. 1 hits in a single year. He also earned MusicRow’s Song of the Year for “Drunk Girl” (Chris Janson) and co-wrote the Oscar-nominated “Coming Home” from Country Strong. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2014, Douglas’s catalog has been recorded by legends including Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, and Lady A—solidifying his place as one of Nashville’s most influential and enduring songwriters.

In 2022, Douglas co-wrote and starred in the acclaimed documentary “Love, Tom” (Paramount+), a poetic reflection on faith, creativity, and the redemptive power of songwriting—further cementing his legacy as one of Nashville’s most profound and enduring voices.

🟥 HOST: BRAD WARREN
🌐 Website: https://goodgriefgoodgodshow.com/
💠 About: The Good Grief Good God Show, hosted by Grammy-nominated and Emmy-winning songwriter Brad Warren of The Warren Brothers, explores RAW, HONEST CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SURVIVING THINGS THAT SUCK. With over two dozen Top 10 hits—including multiple #1 songs—Brad has written for Taylor Swift, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Blake Shelton, Toby Keith, Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, and more.

In 2020, Brad's world was forever changed by the heartbreaking loss of his oldest son, Sage, to an accidental fentanyl overdose. Now, with 18 years of sobriety and a lifelong passion for storytelling, he creates a space for hope, helping others navigate life's toughest challenges, hosting guests including Rock & Roll Hall of Famers and ACM & CMA winners to Hall of Fame songwriters, Doctors, Olympic Gold Medalists, business executives, friends, and family. But it's not all heavy—Brad and guests share never-before-heard stories from show business and their professional journeys, blending depth with laughter, insight, and unforgettable moments.

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🟥 CONTACT
▶ Matt Peveto, Executive Producer/Showrunner
▶ Email: [email protected]
▶ Website: https://www.mattpeveto.com
▶ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpeveto/

⏱️ CHAPTERS
00:00 - Introduction: Brad Warren welcomes songwriter Tom Douglas
03:45 - How Brad and Matt met after Sage’s passing
07:20 - Tom’s influence on Brad & Brett’s songwriting journey
09:15 - Tom’s early life, family roots & creative upbringing in Atlanta
13:30 - Balancing art, family, and responsibility
17:45 - Anxiety as fuel for creativity
21:20 - Leaving corporate life to chase songwriting dreams
26:00 - Writing “Little Rock” and finding purpose
30:00 - “The House That Built Me” – how a 7-year journey made history
35:10 - From speech to film: creating *Love, Tom* (Apple TV & Amazon)
40:50 - Storytelling as ministry: turning pain into connection
45:00 - Faith, art, and the beauty found in suffering
51:30 - Tom’s father, addiction, and lessons in empathy
58:40 - Brad on sobriety, grief, and losing his son Sage
1:07:00 - Finding peace inside unresolved tension
1:12:20 - The calling to create and write until the end
1:17:10 - The business of songwriting & advice for young artists
1:22:45 - Faith, failure, and the human condition
1:28:30 - What the music industry gets wrong about creativity
1:33:10 - Real advice: write about something true
1:36:45 - What makes a great co-write
1:41:00 - Suffering as the great connector
1:46:20 - The worst thing—and best thing—Tom ever experienced
1:51:00 - Closing reflections on grace, art, and redemption
1:54:00 - Farewell and final blessings