Whatever Happens, Don’t Lose Your Voice

Hello Friday is back after taking a summer break. I’d originally planned to come back next week, and then Dolly Parton died.

I’ve seen so many tributes, and countless people have shared their perspectives on the many, many ways Dolly made an impact: how she used her superstar status to truly do good in the world and how she remained unapologetically herself while being so kind to everyone. Even as she created a memorable outward persona and style, she never covered up who she was on the inside.

At first, I didn’t feel like there was anything I could say to add to that conversation, even though the essence of Dolly Parton is woven through my childhood memories, stories of my grandparents’ house on Marilyn Drive that I wrote about in Girl in the Spotlight.

Then, I read the private letter she wrote to Eminem, which he shared on Instagram, congratulating him on his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Dolly wrote, “Even though I don’t know a lot about rap music, I’ve come to know that you are the very best at it.”

Later, I came across the letter she wrote to Michael Bublé, asking him to sing a duet with her on a Christmas song she wrote.

What’s profound and remarkable about these letters, in addition to how unassuming they are and how genuinely appreciative she was of their talent, is that they are 100% written in Dolly’s voice. The letters are professional, typed on signature Dolly letterhead and free of typos, but there’s no doubt that Dolly wrote those letters. You can almost hear her saying the words out loud.

Did someone proofread them first? Perhaps. Did she dictate it and someone else type it for her? Who knows?

What I do know is that in this age of AI, as voice, personality, and originality are so easily stripped away from the content we consume every day, reading these letters was simply refreshing.

It reminded me how powerful, effective, and meaningful it is to live and speak from the heart. There’s really no substitute for that. ✨

This week, I was a guest on the Charleston Marketing Podcast. We talked about how to tell authentic stories without sharing everything and how my decision to leave TV news paved the way to a healthier relationship with success and visibility.

🎧 Listen on your favorite platform here

I’m happy to be back. Thank you for inviting me into your inbox each week.