The Soul Goals, Episode 44: Charlsey Etheridge

For singer/songwriter Charlsey Etheridge, music has served as an important release since a young age.  Her parents laid a wonderful foundation for her future and she knew from an early time that this was a career she wanted to pursue.  College, however, brought on challenges that would force her to take a vital stock of her life and what music really meant for her when she was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 19.

Throughout numerous hospitalizations, surgeries, blood transfusions, and financial instabilities related to her condition, Charlsey continued to keep her eyes set on her faith and dove in to her musical roots.  This critical diagnosis also found her leaning in to the awareness of her body and her mind in a very significant and intuitive way, helping her address the psychological side of this chronic illness that accompanies her to this day.

Charlsey knows that through the years of delicately balancing her illness with her musical career, her “worth doesn’t come from tangible things, an invaluable lesson.”  Getting to that realization wasn’t easy and it involved a significant amount of ups and downs, things she knows that she will continue to work through.  The flip-side of having a chronic illness has shown Charlsey that life is so much more than what we do.  Her candidness and vulnerability are only a couple of the beautiful gifts that have grown through her years of managing this balance and her music reflects this in such a special way.

Charlsey’s release of “Scars of Mine” in the fall of 2023 allows an honest view in to her experiences and gives listeners so much to immerse themselves in.  A gifted songwriter and amazing human, Charlsey continues to live steadfast and true, honoring each day as it comes and giving thanks for the love and connection of her husband, her ability to create, record, and perform regularly, and the sheer gift of life.  She is a true testament to resilience!

Everyone has a story, and every story matters!