Matthew McConaughey on Life, Faith, and Finding Rhythm in the Everyday
By Bo Woloszyn, Senior Broadcast Manager, Walmart Radio
2 MIN READ
When Matthew McConaughey walks into a room, there’s that unmistakable calm confidence that follows him, the same mix of wisdom and mischief we’ve come to love over the years. But this time, he’s not here to talk about movies much. He’s here to talk about Poems and Prayers, his brand-new book that’s part reflection, part reminder, and all heart — now available at Walmart.
“Sometimes poetry helps you make sense of life,” he says. “It gives you rhyme to the reason instead of reason to the rhyme.”
Written over decades, Poems and Prayers began when McConaughey was just 18, studying abroad in Australia. With no car, no friends, and a 10 p.m. curfew, he found comfort in writing 16-page letters to himself, sometimes answered with 14-page replies. Out of that solitude came the beginnings of a lifelong conversation with faith, humor, and gratitude.
For those who don’t typically read poetry, McConaughey says this book might surprise you. “Some of it’s poetic, some of it’s like Ben Franklin axioms. Some make you laugh, some might make you pray. It’s not about preaching, it’s about inviting.”
And that invitation is clear. Through his blend of lyrical wisdom and laid-back storytelling, McConaughey offers more than poems he offers perspective. He reminds readers to make humor the default emotion, to take one more step when things get tough, and to practice what he calls “baseline gratitude” seeing the rose in the vase instead of the dust on the table.
The final believer wins the crown.
Don’t pull the parachute too early.
Fly until you touch down.
Whether you’re chasing dreams, catching green lights, or just trying to get through the day with a little more grace, Poems and Prayers feels like a conversation with an old friend, one who reminds you that life’s messiest moments can still have music in them.
Want to hear the full story straight from the source? Check out the full video podcast where Bo sits down with Matthew McConaughey for an honest, sometimes funny, and inspiring conversation about Poems and Prayers. From life lessons and laughter to faith, gratitude, and what keeps him chasing the “yet,” it’s a chat you don’t want to miss.
Watch the full interview here:
Ready to find your rhythm?
Pick up Poems and Prayers by Matthew McConaughey, available now at Walmart.com.