EPISODE 086 | The Healing Power of Music in Marriage with Pop Artist, Jon Mullins
Watch Jon Mullins' interview on Human Amplified with Brandi Fleck.
Listen to Jon Mullins’ Relationship Story
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The Healing Power of Music in Marriage with Pop Artist and The Voice Alum, Jon Mullins
Support for this podcast comes from Meg and Craig Relationship Coaching. Meg and Craig Smidt of Meg and Craig Relationship Coaching have thrived together for 20 years. Y’all, they are one of my favorite couples. This is a second marriage for both of them, and Craig came into it with five kids, who are all grown now. Meg and Craig, so cute, are newly empty nesters, but before that, Meg picked up being a stepmom turned adoptive mom to her kids in what seems like overnight. This coaching couple has been through all the ups and downs of blending their family, nurturing intimacy and true partnership while parenting, dealing with exes, setting boundaries, finding work-relationship balance, communicating about needs and fears, arranging finances, and keeping the excitement and passion alive, if ya know what I mean. They want to help you thrive through all these adventures too, whether you’re in a rut, stressed, want more balance, compromise, or aligned goals, but you don’t want to waste time or money. Sound familiar? If so, Meg and Craig Relationship Coaching is for you. Visit megandcraig.com to ignite and empower your relationship today.
All About Jon Mullins’ Human Amplified Episode
Today’s guest is Nashville singer, songwriter, and pop artist, Jon Mullins, who is also a 2020 alum of the hit TV Show, The Voice. In the last couple of years up to now, he’s put out quite a few singles, including Better Man, Get to You, Survive, Hot Like Summer, and some amazing Christmas songs.
Speaking of Jon’s music, later in this episode, we dive into the emotion and vulnerability that went into creating the song “Better Man,” which he describes as the beginning of telling a story through his own artistry with his wife, Whitney, as inspiration and support. Not only does he sing just a bit for us, but Jon really opens up about how he initially was afraid to release the song. Doors just kept opening though, and “Better Man” became a life-changing experience.
Before that, we talk all about how Jon met and fell in love with Whitney, an accident she had early in their marriage, and how after the accident, their emotions and healing evolved as a couple with music as therapy and a healer. Jon takes us through how music went from being a healer to how it’s now the goal that he and Whitney have their eyes and hearts on together.
On a personal note, this has been one of the funnest conversations I’ve gotten to have.
Jon is such a down-to-Earth, genuinely nice guy who just shines his light wherever he goes. If you haven’t heard his music, be sure to check it out. If you have heard his music, listening to him talk about his life, his creative process, his love for his wife, and how they support each other will only make you love it even more.
The Highlights of Jon’s Story on Human Amplified
During the interview, Jon affectionately refers to his wife, Whitney, as “Whit,” when describing how music was a therapy for them both. He says, “We needed to know we weren’t alone,” and that “…we wanted people to know you’re not alone if you’re going through this type of hard time.”
We start out getting to know Jon Mullins
Shout out to Dolly Wood
How Jon and his wife Whitney fell in love and got married
Jon’s thoughts on music as the universal healer
The details of Whitney’s accident, including the long-term struggle and emotional toll
Relearning how to communicate as partners
Embracing Whitney’s “new self”
Anxiety and panic
Music taking the back burner
What auditioning for The Voice represented in Jon and Whitney’s healing journey
Whitney’s support
Jon’s audition process
Deciding on a statement
The support-system related motivation behind telling Whitney’s story — the need for being shown over being told they weren’t alone
How music specifically helped Jon and Whitney through hard times
Music as therapy to help smooth out emotional peaks and have hope for the future
Writing music to process emotions
The importance of expressing yourself through words, creativity
Jon Mullins dissects his single “Better Man” so we can visualize how his emotional processing maps to certain parts of the song — he chose this song because it was the start of telling a story through his artistry with his words and melody — it’s the first song he released after the voice and after Whitney’s accident. He may even sing a little bit.
How the flood gates of emotion came out - release
Vivid descriptions of Jon’s creative process
How the song was “embarrassingly real” and personal — why Jon was afraid to release this song
The gateway to starting to write “hard truth” songs
“Writing that song changed my life. Releasing that song changed my life.” - Jon Mullins on “Better Man”
Why Jon ended up releasing “Better Man” a year and a half after he wrote it
Production of “Better Man”
Music going from therapy to a career
The role music plays in Jon and Whitney’s relationship today
Fan connection, impact, and reactions
Making a difference while incorporating more playfulness
What’s coming next for Jon Mullins
Behind the Scenes Sneak Peek
Nashville singer-songwriter, Jon Mullins, discussing during his Zoom interview with Human Amplified host, Brandi Fleck, how “fans” are more than fans. He says they’re part of this experience with him.
More About jon mullins
Jon Mullins’ versatile vocal range and smooth harmonies can easily propel him into the same league as his idols, Sam Smith and Adele. But it’s his soul-bearing, heart-pounding style that makes him more than just an entertainer for the masses. It’s no wonder that his multiple dynamic and emotional 2020 performances on NBC’s The Voice gave Kelly Clarkson “chills.” Not afraid to be vulnerable, Mullins takes his audience on a deep journey with him.
Mullins, a Pennsylvania native, moved to Nashville in 2014 to pursue music full time. But he was soon tested in the fire, along with his marriage, when his wife Whitney took a devastating fall and suffered crippling physical and mental setbacks as a result. Through the darkness, the couple relied on their faith and commitment to each other, which in turn inspired his recent trilogy of well-received 2020-21 single releases, which reflected on the stress, frustration, and ultimately the unwavering love and support which bonds their relationship. "Better Man" focused on his wedding vows to her to see it through for better or worse. "Get To You" dealt with the harsh realities of climbing an uphill battle. The final song, "Survive," brought about a new light and renewed spirit.
His current single “Hot Like Summer,” produced by Ryan Prewett, is a fun, up tempo, pop dance track with soaring falsetto and driving beat that vibes like Justin Timberlake-meets-Bruno Mars. It further showcases the depth of his artistry and, in the process, ignites a fire that promises to burn brightly for many years to come. The accompanying music video was directed and produced by Brandon Cawood and captures Mullins in contemplative and exuberant moments of sheer joy and bliss, juxtaposed against beautiful beach scenes in Laguna Beach and city boulevards in Panama City Beach, Florida, interwoven with emotional studio performances showcased in brilliant neon lighting that were filmed in Dalton, Georgia.
In addition to his recording and performance career, Mullins is an in-demand songwriter and currently collaborates with some of Nashville's top tunesmiths.
Mullins has been featured by numerous national and international media outlets, including NBC, People.com, USA Network, American Songwriter, Taste of Country, Music Mayhem Magazine, Nashville Noise, and many others.
Jon’s links
@jonmullinsofficial on Instagram
@jonmullinsofficial on Facebook
@jonmullinsofficial on TikTok
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CREDITS: INTRO AND OUTRO MUSIC AND EPISODE EDITING BY RYAN SAULS. EPISODE PRODUCTION AND GRAPHICS BY BRANDI FLECK. SOUND EFFECTS FROM ZAPSPLAT.COM. MID-EPISODE MUSIC IS “DARK 'N' STORMY” BY SHANE IVERS AT SILVERMAN SOUND STUDIOS. BIO AND PHOTOS PROVIDED BY CDA publicity for JON MULLINS.
About Your Host
Brandi Fleck is a writer, artist, and a recognized communications and interviewing expert. She is also an avid student of human nature who’s overcome past trauma and is founder of Human Amplified, where she helps people embrace being their true selves so they can expand more fully into their own humanity without fear of being seen and heard. Brandi hosts the top-rated Human Amplified podcast (formerly the On Being Human podcast.) READ MORE