Why Even Cowboys Get Depressed with Country Music Singer/Songwriter Chase Rice

Chase Rice

Verywell / Julie Bang

Every Monday on The Verywell Mind Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Amy Morin, LCSW, interviews authors, experts, entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and other inspirational people about the strategies that help them think, feel, and do their best in life.

Meet Chase Rice

Chase Rice is a country music singer and songwriter. He’s sold over 2 million albums and his songs have been streamed over 3 billion times.

Some of his biggest songs include “Drinkin’ Beer. Talkin’ God. Amen” and “Eyes on You.”

Before becoming a musician, he appeared on "Survivor: Nicaragua," where he was a runner-up. 

His newest album, "I Hate Cowboys & All Dogs Go to Hell," focuses on mental health.

What You’ll Hear on the Show

  • How Chase’s career aspirations shifted over time and how he took an interesting path to get into music
  • Why his latest album feels more authentic to him
  • How Chase learned that his good friend was suicidal, and what he did to support him
  • Chase’s struggle with depression and why he says that struggle will be ongoing
  • How talking to a therapist helped him and why he was motivated to stop taking medication
  • The daily strategies he uses to manage his mental health now
  • How he gets over the fear that he won’t be creative if he isn’t struggling with a mental health issue
  • Why he didn’t know he was depressed at first and his reaction to being diagnosed with depression
  • The grief he experienced after losing his father
  • The difference between isolation and solitude
  • Why it’s so important to talk to someone about your struggles
  • How to find one activity a day to improve your mental health
  • The difference between guilt and shame
  • How Chase keeps social media from harming his mental health
  • The number one thing people should do if they’re going through a tough time

Quotes From Chase

Chase Rice

It's just a battle you got to choose to fight every day. And when you start giving up, you need to talk to somebody and explain what you're feeling, what's going on, and make sure you're not alone.

— Chase Rice
  • "I've learned there's a huge difference between isolation and solitude."
  • "I'm sorry, but a Netflix binge? I don't care how much people enjoy it. If it's longer than a day or so, you need to get the hell off that couch and do something else. It's not healthy."

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available across all streaming platforms. If you like the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.

Reviews and ratings are a great way to encourage other people to listen and help them prioritize their mental health too.

Editor’s Note: Please be mindful that this transcript does not go through our standard editorial process and may contain inaccuracies and grammatical errors. Thank you.

For media or public speaking inquiries, contact Amy here.

Links and Resources

If You Liked This Episode, You Might Also Like These Episodes:

By Amy Morin, LCSW, Editor-in-Chief
Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, and international bestselling author. Her books, including "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," have been translated into more than 40 languages. Her TEDx talk,  "The Secret of Becoming Mentally Strong," is one of the most viewed talks of all time.