Madison Watkins: Embracing Faith, Music, and her Journey to Self-Discovery

Beyond the Mic with Sean Dillon

"I think resilience is a muscle and the more that you work it, the better you become at it."

Welcome Madison Watkins:

We’re joined on the Starline by a singer-songwriter who as a Bulldog state championship cheerleader thought 100 degree weather was not fun. She has opened for Elle King and Gwen Stefani and made it to the top 12 of American Idol. Her latest Christian EP “Letting Go” is out now. We welcome Madison Watkins.

Madison, let’s go Beyond the Mic.

You’re a survivor. Abusive relationships, mental health struggles, long distance relationship, making it so close to American Idol and yet you don’t give up. How has your resiliency evolved through these last 5 years?

You said once "Writing songs is my favorite way to get my feelings out without people knowing. How has songwriting helped you?

“Letting Go” details all the pain, revelation and life-altering self-discovery in your life as you suffered shingles, panic attacks and hopeless feelings you encountered on a daily basis. How has letting go healed your heart?

“You won’t” is the first song you ever wrote about faith. What changes have you discovered in yourself?

When you played “You Won’t” for your parents you recorded their reaction in the car. What were the emotions you were experiencing as they listened?

The Rockin' 8:

Madison Watkins latest EP is “Letting Go”. Madison, it’s time for the Rockin’ 8, 8 random questions, answer with the first thing that comes to your mind. There is no Pressure.

1. When was the last time you talked with Miss Arkansas Outstanding Teen 2009 aka your old friend Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields?

2. Favorite flavor of yogurt?

3. If you could give your long distance boyfriend one thing right now, what would you give him?

4. What was your first guitar and do you still have it?

INSTANT Followup: What string do you break the most on it.

5. Do you remember all the jobs you had in LA that you did just to make rent?

6. Favorite Disneyworld ride?

7. You’ve always said your hair had superpowers, but if you could have superpowers, what would they be?

8. What was your typical McDonalds order?

The Back Half:

Place in the world you want to visit if you could RIGHT now?

How has your fans the “Mad Squad” give you the support you need as you change your musical focus?

What is the power of a song?

What have you realized about yourself from music?

Why has changing your focus given you peace?

You once told your parents you “had no worth”. How have you risen like a phoenix from darkness to the light of today?

Madison, you talk about movement. When you were 22 years old, you created your own non-profit “The Glow Movement”. How did helping kids pursue dreams change the way you see your own dreams?

That bad ex-boyfriend you talked about earlier, wanted you to dress more sexily, post those photos more and it almost destroyed you. How has leaving him helped you discover who you really are and discover what love is?

Music:

How do you write a song? What is your musical process?

Who inspires you musically today?

How did your breakdown allow you to create a stronger foundation for the woman you are today?

What accomplishment will truly tell your heart that you finally made it?

Two Big Questions:

Have your dreams gotten so loud, doubt is hiding?

You said "I am working on my perspective every day because what people think about us, how much money we make, who we are dating, etc. is not worth dwelling on when we have a huge purpose for being on earth. I am learning... it's all about perspective." How has the way you examine your own perspective changed in the last year? How has your perspective changed?

The Wrap:

Madison hates changes guitar strings, wants to returns to the beach in Positano Italy. She wants you to hear her EP “Letting Go”. Madison Watkins thanks for taking the time to talk with us today.

And that my friends is Beyond the Mic.

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