Music for the Soul Podcast

On July 11, 2026, we lost one of the brightest stars in the constellation of Christian Songwriters. Bob Farrell went to be with the Lord at the age of 77 and we wanted to honor his memory and his legacy by replaying his episode this week.  So we often wonder about the reach a song or act can have and how God uses it for His Kingdom. What leads to those large movements where the Lord enters the lives of thousands?  Bob Farrell shares his experience co-founding Farrell and Farrell during the height of The Jesus Movement, what lead to the movement creating such a lasting impact for the Kingdom of God, and how his music played into the sounds of the time while creating deep, meaningful lyrics that led people to Christ. Bob also talked about traveling the world ministering to others, including traveling to Moscow just a year before the Berlin Wall fell. He explained the many names he had worked with in his over 40 year career, and what he believed is so important for Christian music in a day and age that can look more clouded than ever. Who is Bob Farrell? Bob Farrell was a Nashville-based musician-songwriter-producer with a career that has spanned 40 years; 25 years of that as Christian music duo Farrell & Farrell with his wife Jayne, recording 10 albums and touring all over the world, including in 1988 - a year before the Berlin Wall came down - performing 30 shows in Moscow and Leningrad by invitation of the Kremlin Peace Committee. Bob penned songs for Eric Clapton, Wynonna Judd, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Anne Murray and dozens of other artists, as well as several concept works, including !HERO The Rock Opera, Le Voyage for Sandi Patty, and two projects recorded with the London Symphony - one of which is Saviour, performed at Carnegie Hall Oct. 2014 and The Kennedy Center, Washington, D.C. June, 2016. Resources: Learn more about Bob's work, hear his songs and more at his website: www.farrellandfarrell.net Listen to the song featured in today's episode, These Things, at the link here: www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/these-things

On this special episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we turn the microphone toward co-host Becky Nordquist as she shares the deeply personal story that inspired the Innocent Child project. Through an honest and vulnerable conversation, Becky reflects on her own journey as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and how God has redeemed her story into a message of hope for others. She also offers a look at her "five hats" of helping to create the project's songs, documentary, devotional, and leader guide, all designed to walk alongside survivors as they pursue healing. Becky shares how creativity, music, and faith became powerful tools in her healing journey, while also acknowledging the courage it takes to tell a story that was hidden for so many years. Together, Becky and Steve discuss the importance of creating space for lament, finding trusted community, and allowing God to gently restore the places trauma has shattered. They also explore how healing is not a destination reached overnight, but a lifelong journey marked by grace, honesty, and hope. With tenderness and authenticity, Becky reminds survivors that they are never alone, that what happened to them was not their fault, and that freedom is possible. This conversation is an invitation to take the next step toward healing, trusting that redemption and restoration are available even after life's deepest wounds.

In this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are very blessed to sit down with author, advocate, and survivor Angela Williams for an honest conversation about childhood sexual abuse, survivor advocacy, and the urgent need to protect vulnerable children. Drawing from her own experiences as a survivor, Angela shares how finding her voice became a catalyst for helping others find theirs, offering hope, resources, and practical tools for healing. Angela discusses the challenges survivors often face when seeking support, the importance of equipping churches to respond compassionately to trauma, and the realities of online grooming and child exploitation in today's world. She also shares about her work through Angela's Voice, including educational resources for parents, children's prevention curriculum, and her ongoing efforts to advocate for legislative reforms that better protect children and hold offenders accountable. Angela reminds us that healing begins when survivors are heard, believed, and supported. This conversation offers encouragement for survivors, practical guidance for parents and caregivers, and a powerful call for all of us to become advocates for the safety, dignity, and restoration of children. Who is Angela Williams? Angela Williams is a survivor-turned-advocate who shares a powerful message of triumph over tragedy by sharing her vulnerable and candid voice about her abuse trauma, her pain, her struggles, and her journey to healing, in hopes that it may help other survivors expedite their healing journey. She holds a master's in forensic psychology with a concentration in child abuse. Williams is a powerful messenger, appearing in national and international news and documentaries. She has been successful in state legislative reform and national policy work and served on the National Committee of the National Coalition to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. Resources: To learn more about Angela's books, resources for sexual abuse victims, her own podcast and more, visit her website: www.angelasvoice.com 

In this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we welcome Pamela Alderman, founder of Healing in Arts, to share how art became both a lifeline in her own healing journey and a ministry to survivors of trauma around the world. Pamela opens up about the loneliness and pain she experienced as a child after her parents' divorce, the eating disorder she developed while trying to cope, and how returning to painting years later became part of God's restoration in her life. Pamela also shares the heart behind her Red Jeans Redemption Project, an interactive art installation that allows survivors of sexual abuse and trafficking to anonymously express their stories through painted and altered red jeans. Through these workshops, survivors discover something many have never experienced before: the realization that they are not alone. Together, Becky, Steve, and Pamela explore the connection between creativity, community, and healing, and the incredible ways artistic expression can help survivors reclaim their voice and identity. If you have ever felt alone in your story, this episode is a reminder that your voice matters, your story matters, and healing is possible. Who is Pamela Alderman? Pamela Alderman is a veteran wife, military mom, and social practice artist who founded Healing in Arts, a nonprofit that uses participatory art to foster healing, empathy, and community transformation. For nearly two decades, she has created large-scale, public installations that amplify the voices of marginalized communities—veterans, refugees, survivors of sex trafficking, and youth experiencing homelessness—and turn art into a language of restoration and connection. Her work invites participants and viewers into a cultural dialogue that bridges personal stories with collective identity. Rooted in West Michigan, Alderman has engaged with more than 400,000 ArtPrize visitors and led two projects supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Whether helping veterans reclaim their stories or collaborating with trauma survivors, her art serves as an invitation to restore dignity and activate lasting cultural change. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Pamela, all of her projects through Healing in Arts, resources and more on her website: https://pamelaalderman.com  

In this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, Author Sharon Jaynes joins us to share how God can transform even the most painful chapters of our story into something meaningful. Drawing from her own upbringing in a home filled with conflict, fear, and brokenness, Sharon offers both personal insight and practical tools for moving forward even in moments where the story of our life seems so grim. She discusses what tends to keep many people stuck in their current story and how to break free. Sharon explains why forgiveness is essential for healing (and what happens if we resist it), how shame keeps us trapped, and how to step out of it. As she walks through her own story of brokenness to restoration, Sharon also discovered that sharing her story disarmed her shame.  Sharon reminds us that healing is not about erasing the past, but instead transforming how we see it as God uses us for His glory. Who is Sharon Jaynes?   Sharon Jaynes is an international conference speaker and best-selling author of 25 books, with close to a million sold. For ten years, she served as vice-president of Proverbs 31 Ministries and co-host for their daily radio program. Sharon is the co-founder of Girlfriends in God, Inc.,a ministry that touches nearly 500,000 women daily through internet devotions. Sharon is also a popular guest on radio and television programs such as Focus on the Family and Family Life. Besides her own books, she has also been a contributing author in many books such as Chicken Soup for the Sports Fan's Soul, Stories for the Teens Heart, Stories for the Man's Heart, and the Women's Devotional Bible. Resources: Learn more about Sharon's books, resources and more on her website: https://www.sharonjaynes.com Listen to today's featured song, Tell Yourself the Truth, on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/tell-yourself-the-truth/  

In this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are so blessed to sit down with author, speaker, and mentor Dawn Damon for a deeply honest conversation about healing after childhood sexual abuse. Dawn shares parts of her personal story and the journey that led her from silence and trauma to a life of encouragement, leadership, and ministry. Dawn explains how healing often requires actively pursuing wholeness through seeking truth, confronting shame, and allowing God to restore the deepest places of the heart. She also reflects on the physical, spiritual and neurological impacts of trauma, the importance of speaking truth over shame, and the courage it takes to share one's story. With compassion and wisdom, this conversation offers hope to those of you who may still be navigating the hidden wounds of the past. Dawn reminds us that abuse does not define a person's identity and that healing, while often a long and difficult journey, is possible through truth, faith, and community. You are not defined by what happened to you and you can chase your healing just as Dawn chased hers. Who is Dawn Damon? Dawn Damon is an Influencer, Global Communicator, Podcaster, High Performance Coach, and Best-Selling Author Her 5 award-winning books, include When a Woman You Love Was Abused, published by Kregel Publications, When the Woman Abused Was Me, The Freedom Challenge: 60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You, Redemption Press, and most recently the Amazon Best-Selling Book The Freedom Challenge for Men: 60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You. Dawn is the founder and CEO of New Dawn Rising and the BraveHearted Woman, an enterprise and a non-profit designed to cultivate the vision of women dreamers, and equip them to live their best life. Resources: Learn more about Dawn, her books, and more on her website here: https://www.dawndamon.com  

In this episode of Music for the Soul, we welcome writer and caregiver Richard Peterson to share his experience walking alongside his wife Elizabeth through her journey with multiple sclerosis. Together, they explore the emotional and spiritual tension that often accompanies long-term caregiving — the sense that illness can feel like an unwelcome intruder that suddenly rewrites the rules of everyday life. Richard reflects on the shift from seeing a diagnosis as an intrusion to learning, over time, to accept it as an unexpected guest. Through stories of faith, humor, music, and perseverance, this conversation offers an honest look at what it means to love someone through suffering when there are no easy fixes. It's a thoughtful reminder that caregiving is not only about managing physical needs, but about navigating grief, acceptance, and hope in the midst of profound change. Who is Richard Peterson? Richard Peterson is a retired journalist and military veteran whose life has been marked by faith, service, and devotion to family. After briefly attending the Moody Bible Institute, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy during the Vietnam era — a decision that would ultimately shape both his career and personal life. While stationed in Norfolk, Virginia, he met his wife Elizabeth at church. Married for more than 55 years, the couple share two children, eight grandchildren, and a deep commitment to their faith. Richard has worked as a newspaper reporter, feature writer, and freelance journalist, while also serving in both the Navy and Air Force Reserve. Since Elizabeth's multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 1995, he has served as her full-time caregiver — a role that has become central to their shared journey. Resources: Learn more about Richard's blog on the website here: https://www.walkwithusblog.com Listen to the song from today's episode at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/dignity/  

In this episode of Music for the Soul, Becky and Steve welcome Reverend Dr. Russell Mauldin — a songwriter, pastor, counselor, and longtime creative whose life bridges music, ministry, and deep pastoral care. Russell shares his journey from decades in Nashville songwriting and producing to stepping into a new calling as a shepherd for creatives, counselors, and the weary. Through stories of silence, obedience, and learning to make space for God's still voice, this episode explores how creativity, vulnerability, and encouragement intersect. Russell reflects on what it means to listen deeply to others, to ourselves, and most importantly to God. He also describes how true ministry often looks less like having the right words and more like simply being present. Russell's conversation is a thoughtful reminder that God often prepares us for future callings long before we realize it. Who is Rev. Russell Mauldin? For 37 years, Rev. Russell Mauldin has sustained his music career in Nashville as one of the most prolific and best-selling composers in church music with millions of choral books sold and confirmed performances on six continents. Working also with major artists and orchestrating for Inspirational film compositions, he is a Grammy nominated record producer and five-time GMA Dove Award winner. He has also owned and lead several music industry businesses through the years. On his 17th international mission trip in early 2014, Russell answered God's call to additional ministry through pastoral shepherding. He was ordained in 2015 and completed a Master's degree in Religion in 2018. In 2017, he helped plant a new church and became Associate Pastor and Trustee at Seeds Church, a growing and flourishing interdenominational church in Middle Tennessee.  In early 2024, Russell was certified through the NCCA as a Licensed Clinical Pastoral Counselor and has recently earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Christian Counseling. He is also a certified Life Coach through the AACC. While deeply respecting and integrating techniques from social science, his approach to counseling leads from a biblical worldview. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Russell's work in music at the link here: https://brentwoodbenson.com/ready-to-sing.html You can also reach out to Russell through the website https://www.threetreescounseling.com, through his email [email protected], or on his social media pages on Facebook or Instagram.

In this episode of Music for the Soul, we welcome back Dove Award winning songwriterTony Wood to discuss his latest book, Manger Throne, a Christmas devotional shaped by 28 original songs written over the span of his career. Tony shares how music, prayer, and storytelling can open the door to hope—especially during a season that often holds both celebration and sorrow side by side. Tony's conversation touches on everything from writing joy-filled songs to wrestling with themes of suffering, incarnation, and redemption. Through reflections on collaboration, creative vulnerability, and the power of stillness, Tony invites listeners to experience Christmas not as something to manage or perfect, but as a reminder that peace, light, and hope meet us right where we are. Who is Tony Wood? Tony Wood is a Dove Award nominee for "Songwriter of the Year" and is a five time Dove Award winner. He is the writer of 30 #1 songs at Christian radio. He began writing songs in high school for friends to sing at various churches in the community. He continued writing for the local church while a student at Averett College. After graduation, Tony and his wife Terri moved to Nashville in order to pursue songwriting professionally. In 1991, he signed his first publishing deal with Michael Puryear at Lorenz Creative Services/BMG Music Publishing. He has since written for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Essential Music Publishing. To date, over 800 of Tony's songs have been recorded and released in the Contemporary Christian Music Market.  Some of the artists who have given life to his lyrics include: Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Crabb, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many more.  Tony is currently a staff writer for Curb Word Music Publishing. Resources: Our listeners can purchase Manger Throne through the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Manger-Throne-Celebrating-Christmas-through/dp/1646071972 You can also learn more about Tony's works, including his projects and collaborations with Music for the Soul, on his website: https://tonywoodonline.com  

On this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, Becky and Steve welcome nonprofit fundraising expert Vic Pooler to discuss the heart and practice of giving. As we enter the holiday season, Vic, Becky and Steve explore why generosity is so essential—both for the healing work of ministries and for the donors who want their resources to make a meaningful impact. Vic shares wisdom from over 35 years of nonprofit leadership, unpacking the role of relationship-building, storytelling, and listening in effective fundraising. He reminds us that giving is deeply personal, often rooted in connection, gratitude, and a desire to help others experience healing. Whether you're part of a nonprofit seeking guidance or someone curious about how generosity transforms lives, this conversation offers encouragement, clarity, and practical insight about fundraising for initiatives that impact countless people every day.   Who is Vic Pooler? Vic has worked for the Boy Scouts for over 30 years with roles in Springfield, Ohio, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Cincinnati and Findlay Ohio and since December 2013 in his current position in Detroit. Vic is an Eagle Scout, a Rotarian for over 20 years, a past-President of the Rotary Club of Ann Arbor North, was honored by Rotary with the Cliff Dochterman award in 2011, holds multiple Paul Harris fellows and has been actively involved in numerous club service roles and projects. He is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor's Degree in Zoology (Pre-Med) and minors in Psychology and English.  During his personal time, he enjoys golf, bicycling, weight lifting, classic cars, gardening and home restoration. Resources: If this episode encouraged you and you'd like to help Music for the Soul continue offering hope and healing, you can make a tax-deductible donation through our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/donate

In this episode of Music for the Soul Podcast, we are so excited to welcome Julie Reuschel, founder of Faith45, a ministry dedicated to supporting families through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Julie shares her personal journey of faith, grief, and resilience, including the loss of her daughter Faith, who lived for just 45 minutes before passing. Julie explains how these experiences inspired her to create Faith45, a ministry focused on walking alongside families through their grief. She discusses the development of the Faith Box—a carefully curated package filled with books, journals, music, candles, bracelets, and other meaningful items to offer comfort and hope during the most difficult days. She also talks about Faith45's mentoring ministry, which connects families with trained mentors who have themselves experienced loss. Julie emphasizes the power of shared experience and the importance of safe spaces where grief can be expressed without judgment. Julie then highlights practical ways to support grieving families, from thoughtful check-ins and prayers to acts of service, while also underscoring the healing power of journaling, music, and community. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of grief, hope, and the ways God uses even the most painful experiences to bring comfort and connection.   Who is Julie Reuschel? Julie Reuschel's most important title will always be Mom. She thanks God every day for the gift of being Faith and Esther's mother and for the joy of being called "mama" by her three children. A graduate of Hope College—where she met her husband, Chris—Julie has built a career in accounting, with a passion for spreadsheets and numbers. Her professional experience includes roles as a public accountant, an accountant for a builder, and most recently, a business controller. Julie recently made the faithful decision to leave a rewarding career to follow God's calling and dedicate her time to Faith45, with the mission of helping as many families suffering the loss of a child as possible. She is excited to see where God continues to lead this ministry and deeply values the prayers and support along the journey. Resources: Our listeners can listen Before We Said Hello at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/before-we-said-hello-3 You can also check out Julie's ministry, Faith45, on her website at the link provided: https://faith-45.com  

  Adoption is one of the most selfless and loving acts a parent can do for a foster child. However, there are a lot of complicated emotions that surround children who are adopted that can be difficult to navigate. That is why we are so blessed to welcome Dr. Ron Nydam to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Dr. Nydam is a Christian counselor and seminary professor who has served as a pastoral psychotherapist for over 30 years. He discusses his journey into studying relinquishment and adoption and shares how unresolved grieving from relinquishment impacted marriage counseling and led to his extensive research.   Dr. Nydam emphasizes the importance of addressing the emotional complexities of adoption, including identity formation, sustaining intimacy, and fantasy resolution. He highlights the significance of open adoption and the role of both adoptive and birth parents in the healing process. Dr. Nydam also discusses the psychological impact of relinquishment on adoptees and the need for therapists to understand these dynamics.    Who is Ron Nydam? Dr. Ron Nydam (PhD, LPC) has served as a pastoral psychotherapist for over 30 years. He has developed a keen interest in the dynamics of Relinquishment and Adoption. He has written two books on the subject. He enjoys working with young adults and married couples very much.  His primary method of counseling is insight-oriented exploration that facilitates healthy changes in life. Ron loves the great outdoors, fly fishing with his grandson, and playing gold with his granddaughter! Resources: Our listeners can listen Under My Skin, a song to encourage adoptive parents or people considering adoption, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/under-my-skin You can also purchase Ron's book, Adoptees Come of Age: Living within Two Families, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Adoptees-Come-Age-Families-Counseling/dp/0664256716  

On this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we're delighted to explore a heartfelt new collaboration between Phillip Keveren and Steve Siler: Candle & Compass: Songs for Sanctuary. Phillip and Steve delve into the inspiration and purpose behind this deeply prayerful collection, their influences in getting started in their music careers, and how the project evolved organically rather than being something they originally set out to plan. Phillip also contextualizes his creative journey, outlining the musical, emotional, and spiritual influences that shaped arrangements like Sanctuary and Great is Thy Faithfulness. He evokes how the emotional power of classical compositions, combined with passionate vocal interpretations, can be especially transformative within a spiritual musical context.   We are incredibly excited to share this project with you and encourage you to listen to all 11 songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube.   Who is Phillip Keveren? A multi-talented keyboard artist and composer, Phillip Keveren displays a tremendous versatility in both his original works and concert performances. He composes in a variety of genres, and is widely acclaimed for his piano publications. Mr. Keveren is a prolific arranger, orchestrator and producer. His work is featured in numerous instrumental recordings, church choral, educational piano and Christian artist releases (Steve Green, Travis Cottrell, Larnelle Harris, Sandi Patty, Mandisa, Jeremy Camp, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir). Phillip is co-author, major composer and orchestrator of the internationally acclaimed Hal Leonard Student Piano Library, a complete method of study for young students. His unique piano arrangements are also featured in The Phillip Keveren Series (Hal Leonard Publishing). Resources: Our listeners can listen to all the songs in the Candle and Compass album at the link here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/candle-compass-songs-for-sanctuary/1825394939  You can also purchase our songbook, Candle & Compass: Songs for Sanctuary, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Candle-Compass-Sanctuary-Phillip-Keveren/dp/B0FGFQ4G91?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER     

Being a single parent creates unique challenges and struggles that are invisible to most people. So how do you walk through life as a single parent, especially if the relationship with the former spouse is strained?   We are so blessed to welcome Singer/ Songwriter Andra Moran to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Andra shares her story of walking through a difficult divorce while performing as a singer across the country and how she used music as a catalyst to help her walk through the emotional and physical struggles of raising a child as a single mom. From there, she collaborated with us on the song, I Only Need One, which aims to encourage single parents in their walk to raise their children.   Andra also shares her love for creating and performing music and how God often uses us in situations where we feel the least prepared to create the greatest impact in others' lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with the journey of being a single parent, we highly encourage you to listen to this episode!   Who is Andra Moran? Andra Moran lives  in Nashville, Tennessee where she works as a songwriter, singer, author, worship designer and freelance touring musician in a variety of settings.  Andra has released seven full length albums and three EPs, in addition to a bilingual album titled Chant Spontané which was released by the Reform Church of France. Andra's songs have been published in contemporary song and hymnal collections and are sung in liturgical gatherings across the United States, Canada and Europe. Andra's book, Brim: Creative Overflow in Worship Design, co-authored with Rev. Dr. Suzanne Castle, was released in 2013 by Chalice Press. Brim is the recipient of the Editor's Choice Award by Worship Leader Magazine and was chosen as a favorite resource of the Wild Goose Festival.  Through BrimProject.com, Andra and her coauthor Suzanne offer artist renewal retreats and congregational resources for art-oriented worship. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Andra on her website: http://www.andramoran.com/home Listen to I Only Needed One on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/i-only-needed-one/  

"What started out as a simple trip home from the beach ended in a five-car pileup started by an uninsured, inattentive driver while we sat waiting at a red light." This is the start of a story of brokeness, healing, and restoration from our guest, author Carmen Leal. On today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, Carmen shares with us how she healed from the emotional heartbreak and physical pain of a traumatic brain injury by adopting a dog, which she named Coconut.    Carmen explains just how deeply dogs can impact survivors of PTSD, trauma, anxiety, and heartbreak through their companionship and bonding, and how important it can be to just have another creature there walking alongside you through harder days. After discovering this restorational gift that dogs can bestow on peoples' lives, Carmen began working with us on a song we titled Love is Just a Wag Away. Through this project we aim to show that dogs are at their best when we are at our worst.    Who is Carmen Leal? Carmen Leal is a storyteller and the author of multiple books, articles, devotionals, and human-interest stories. Carmen relocated from Hawaii to Oshkosh, yes, there is a story behind the move, and has now become an awesome dog mom. Carmen and her husband have become reluctant gardeners and know a crazy amount about Wisconsin weeds. She is the mother of two sons, two incredible grandsons, and Coconut, the best imperfectly perfect rescue dog in the world. Resources: Our listeners can find both of Carmen's books on amazon at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BGQQTFNH Listen to Love is Just a Wag Away and watch the video on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/love-is-just-a-wag-away/  

We have spoken before on Music for the Soul the amount of physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma abortion can inflict. Today we are so blessed to welcome Founder and President of SaveOne, Sheila Harper, to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast.    Sheila shares her story of having an abortion when she was just 19 years old and how traumatic the decision was for her. Over the course of 7 years, she describes her decent into addiction, isolation, and even attempted suicide. However, she began finding hope through her now husband Jack and soon after began attending classes offered for women who had experienced abortion.   Through these classes, she discovered the healing power of community, music, and communion with God. Sheila then decided to found SaveOne in 2000 as a ministry that offers resources and community for those looking to recover and heal from abortion. Sheila shares excellent resources for both women and men who have walked through the decision to have an abortion and also discusses how music can play a key part in unlocking their emotions to allow them to heal.   Who is Sheila Harper? Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, an international outreach ministry for men, women, and families suffering in silence after an abortion. She holds a Master's degree in biblical counseling and is the author of 10 books. SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing after Abortion her first book has been translated and distributed in 20 languages.  SaveOne, founded in 2000, currently has more than 300 chapters in 25 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery as well as training abortion recovery leaders.  She has been featured in many magazines and articles about her work in the abortion recovery field and has appeared on The 700 Club, and most recently had the great honor of being named one of "Huck's Heroes" on The Mike Huckabee Show.  Sheila and her husband Jack planted Crossroads Church and pastored there for 11 years before working together at SaveOne.  Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Sheila's ministry, SaveOne, and purchase her books, find resources, and more at her website: https://www.saveone.org

On this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are starting a new series where we want to hear from you! We are looking for listeners who have been deeply impacted by music in their lives and would like to come on the show to share those stories with out listeners.   Steve Siler shares his story of how music transformed his life and how a piece he originally wrote for a friend about the AIDs epidemic, We're All In This Together, helped kickstart his journey of what would eventually become Music for the Soul. Steve speaks about how music is truly a tool for transformation and that we all have the ability to create ripples in the pond when it comes to interacting with others.    If you or someone you know has a story to share on the impact music has made on their life, whether through creating music or listening to it, please reach out to us! We would love to feature you on a future episode on the Music for the Soul Podcast! Resources: If you have a story about how music has impacted your life or created transformational change, please reach out to Steve at his email: [email protected]

  Miscarriage is a tragedy that strikes many expecting mother's every year. However, one area that can often times go overlooked is the impact it has on the fathers. That is why we are so blessed to welcome singer-songwriter Brian Parker to this heartfelt episode of Music for the Soul.     Brian opens up about his personal journey through grief after experiencing a miscarriage as a husband. He shares how music helped him walk through the grief of loss and how a black and white dragonfly became his inspiration to write a song about both loss and rebirth called Dragonfly. Throughout the whole experience of walking through this period of grief, Brian reminds men that it's important for them to seek support during that period of loss and explains different ways they can be there to support their wives in a compassionate way without having the "fix it" mindset.    Today's episode is an inspiring conversation about resilience, the true depths of God's love, and the transformative power of music that allows us to walk through even the darkest moments like miscarriage with a message of new life and rebirth.   Who is Brian Parker?   From fireside acoustic guitar, to dynamic/dramatic rock pop songs, this singer/songwriter is known for catchy, honest, authentic, chill & Spirit led music. Parker draws inspiration from other great singer/songwriters such as Ben Gibbard, Paul Simon, Billy Corgan, Glen Hansard, Nick Drake & John Mayer. This song craft enthusiast explores themes like a modern day Psalmist; topics such as anxiety, identity, authenticity, relationships & faith in God. From lyric to melody, everything Brian pens is intentionally created with the listener in mind. He's lived & performed in New York, California & now Nashville. Resources: Our listeners can hear Dragonfly and see the music video Come Away featuring his daughter on his YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@brianparkervevo4531  

God hides a teasure inside every affliction. These powerful words come from a guest we are honored to have on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast.    Susan Piper joins us to share her story of how, guitar in hand, she walked into the Cleveland bars at 15 years old in pursuit of stardom. A couple of decades later, Jesus decided that was long enough and pulled her out again with His mighty outstretched arm.   Listen in as Susan tells warm-hearted and self-deprecating stories of the people who brought her to Christ, how she overcame trauma and PTSD instilled in her during childhood, and how she found true joy and transformation in helping those living in nursing homes. Join her at the bedside of those who have been forgotten and hear how God uses the lonely, broken people she serves to bless her and heal her own brokenness.   Who is Susan Piper?   Susan Piper is a Christian singer, song and story writer who spends her days in nursing homes, wielding a guitar with her right hand and pushing her Havanese pup in a stroller with her left, continually being ministered to by the ones she seeks to serve: I visit them but they open their hearts to me. I ask them about their lives and they tell me their stories; sometimes it's the same story again, but it is so important it bears retelling. I knock and they are glad to see me. I offer myself as a stranger and they welcome me in without question. If the hymn is worthy of tears they cry; it was their mother's favorite, it was played at their daughter's funeral. They don't or can't hide their feelings, they are who they are. They follow me down the hall; they say they were sad before I came and please come again because I've made their day. They have done more than that for me. They've changed my life. Excerpt from "He Leadeth Me," A Blessing Is In It. By Susan Piper Resources: Our listeners can purchase Susan's Book, A Blessing Is In It, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Blessing-Alcoholic-Fame-Seeking-Songwriter-Ministry/dp/B0DP9D97BC You can also learn more about Susan on her website: https://www.susanpiper.com We encourage you to listen to a song we produced for the Song to Help With Anxiety Project that deeply resonated with Susan, Tell Yourself The Truth, at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE-EzaJ0CzU  

  We have discussed trauma on many episodes of the Music for the Soul Podcast. However, today's discussion really digs down to the root of trauma and what recovery, support and healing look like for victims struggling with big T and little t trauma.    Our guest on today's episode is licensed professional counselor, EMDR trauma Therapist and author Lisa Saruga, as she speaks on different points from her debut book, The Trauma Tree. Lisa shares the story of recovering from her own trauma at 18 years old when she was assaulted by a masked assailant and what that journey of recovery looked like. She also talks about the benefits of different therapies like EMDR and how every person's journey through trauma will have similar steps but ultimately different paths.   Lisa offers a message of hope, compassion, and healing for those experiencing trauma and creates a grounded framework based in God's love that inspires and encourages. We are so excited to share this message with you today to start out 2025!   Who is Lisa Saruga?   Lisa Saruga is a licensed professional counselor, EMDR trauma therapist, speaker, and author. She's certified as a legal and ethical specialist by the American School Counselor Association. Saruga's advocacy extends to legislative efforts for survivor justice and her impactful contributions as a writer, notably in Carolyn Stone's School Counseling Principles: Ethics and Law. Her debut book, The Trauma Tree, signifies a new chapter in her commitment to empowering others, marking her as a prominent voice in the field. Find her at lisasaruga.com. Resources: Our listeners can pre-purchase Lisa's book, The Trauma Tree, launching February 11th at the link here or wherever you purchase fine books: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Tree-Survival-Growing-Wholeness/dp/0825448743  

As we close out 2024, Music for the Soul reflects on the extraordinary guests who've graced our podcast this year. In this week's special episode, we revisit some of our most memorable moments with living legends of the music industry—Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, and Bob Farrell. Steve and Becky share what made these conversations truly special, as they explore the heartfelt stories and life-changing insights these icons shared about their careers, personal journeys, and the transformative power of Christ in music. Pull up a chair and join us as we celebrate the impactful words and music that defined this year on the Music for the Soul Podcast. Resources: Our listeners can hear the song "The Lord Sent a Child" and find additional Christmas songs on our website: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/the-lord-sent-a-child/ You can also hear each of the full episodes with Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, and Bob Farrell at the links here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-65-how-a-song-can-rescue-a-hurting/id1654054877?i=1000643625773 , https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-84-legendary-gospel-singer-larnelle-harris/id1654054877?i=1000669903041 , https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-30-christian-music-icon-bob-farrell-shares/id1654054877?i=1000615088110 

The holidays are often a time spent with family, friends, and festive traditions. Yet for many, this season can also bring feelings of stress, sadness, or loneliness. In this episode, we are honored to welcome Sue Foster, a licensed marriage and family therapist, to help us navigate these complex emotions. Sue dives into common challenges people face during the holidays—whether it's tension within families, financial or medical hardships, or struggles with depression and anxiety. Sue shares practical strategies for overcoming these difficulties and offers valuable insights on how to reclaim joy and hope during the holiday season. From the healing power of music to the benefits of spending time in nature, Sue reminds us of the importance of self-care and cultivating a positive mindset. Tune in for an uplifting conversation that will leave you feeling supported and encouraged this holiday season.   Who is Sue Foster?   As a Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, Sue Foster has over 20 years experience in the area of grief and loss, relationship issues, depression, anxiety, women's issues, adolescent issues, and other life challenges. Sue also specializes in suicide loss and have published a book for survivors of suicide, "Finding Your Way After the Suicide of Someone You Love." Resources: Our listeners can hear the song "It Doesn't Feel Like Christmas This Year" and find additional resources on our website: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/it-doesnt-feel-like-christmas/

We've spoken a lot about anxiety and stress on the last few episodes of the Music for the Soul Podcast. They both can be debilitating and raise a lot of "what if" questions in our lives. However, what would happen if we started asking "what if this is God's best for my life?"   We are so blessed to welcome vocalist Ally Jackson to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. We had the pleasure of having Ally perform for several tracks on our newest project, What Hope Says, and today she shares her experience working on those projects. She also discusses what passions drive her musical career, why attitude is one of the most important things a session singer can have, and how she manages anxiety in her career and life.   Ultimately, she left us with a great statement on anxiety. What if we just woke up everyday imagining that whatever God put in our path was His best for our life?   Who is Ally Jackson?   Ally Jackson is an incredibly talented Vocalist, Session Singer, Worship Leader, Performer currently residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Ally grew up in Davison, Michigan in a musical family and learned from a young age that her passion was in singing and performing. She has gone on to record multiple singles and albums with producers in Nashville and also performed for our latest project, What Hope Says, which you can find in the link below. Ally also is a worship leader at the First Baptist Atlanta. Resources: Our listeners can hear the full project of What Hope Says on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/ You can also follow Ally's Instagram by searching @allyjacksonmusic on Instagram Listen to Ally's Christmas Single on Spotify at the link here: https://open.spotify.com/album/0MLHsoXEMxy47fh5woLP8s  

Stress can play a large role in musicians lives. From expectations of how they will perform during events to personal anxiety about venues or songs, how can we find calm and peace when creating and performing music. Well we are so blessed to welcome Jeniffer Roig-Francoli to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast.   Jennifer is an award-winning violinist who has performed on some of the biggest stages throughout the world. She shares with us the unique technique she learned that helped teach her to play the violin, and how it can be transformational for young kids that are learning to love playing music. Jennifer also talks about the freedom that playing music can offer to children, teens, and adults in a world where we are always connected to screens.   Finally, Jennifer talks about what inspired her to begin holistic teaching of anxiety reduction for musicians that struggle with fear, worry, and regret. She was so passionate about this project, she has written a new book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, which you can find the link for down below.    If you are someone who is struggling with centering yourself in the moment and overcoming anxiety, we would highly encourage you to listen to this episode.   Who is Jennifer Roig-Francoli?   Jennifer Roig-Francolí is an award-winning musician and double-certified Alexander Technique teacher. As the creator of The Art of Freedom® Method for conscious living and masterful artistry, Jennifer combines her extensive professional experience with a lifelong love of meditation and perennial wisdom. Her unique pedagogical approach, offered online since 2012 and exclusively touch-free since 2018, has empowered countless musicians with reliable tools to break through obstacles to personal and professional fulfillment and success.   Jennifer's career as a modern and baroque violinist has taken her to concert halls around the world, including solo performances at Carnegie Hall and collaborations with esteemed orchestras like the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Symphony Orchestra. She was honored as a "Rising Star" by TIME magazine and has held the positions of Concertmaster and Associate Concertmaster in various ensembles, including the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Apollo's Fire. She can be heard on recordings with Apollo's Fire and as a soloist on most digital streaming platforms. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Jennifer and get in contact with her on her website at the link here: https://www.artoffreedom.me  You can also check out her book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, at the Amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/Make-Great-Music-Ease-Performance-ebook/dp/B0CLL1LBWR?ref_=ast_author_mpb  

This week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast is one that is very near to all of us at Music for the Soul. Founder Steve Siler shares his story about the creation of the song Whole in the Sight of God and the new music video to accompany it. Steve talks about going to get a routine ultrasound on his wife in 1994 and being told by the nurse that their son would be born with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is a rare birth defect where the baby's spinal cord doesn't develop properly, which can lead to complications like partial or complete paralysis and in some cases cause the child to lose their life.    Steve shares that the first thing he and his wife did was name their son Henry and began to pray diligently on what they should do for their son. After choosing to bring Henry into the world, Steve remembers hearing that God was not sending him a son with a broken body, but a complete and perfect soul from Heaven. From there, he began to write a song about his son, which he titled Whole in the Sight of God. It was a song that not only described his son, but all children that have ever been brought into this world.   Steve breaks down what it took to write a song like that, what it was like raising a child with spina bifida, and why Whole in the Sight of God is so close to his heart. We have links to listen to the song on our website as well as to our new music video created to accompany the song. We highly encourage all of you to take a moment to check them out below. Resources: To read more on the story of Whole in the Sight of God as well as listen to it, please visit our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/news/whole-in-the-sight-of-god/ You can also watch our new music video on YouTube at the link here or on our website as well: https://youtu.be/QUFNYsEYjFg

Welcome back to the second part of our two part discussion on Music for the Soul's newest project, What Hope Says. This week, Steve Siler, Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood discuss the second half of the album including the songs Tell Yourself the Truth, Taking Care of Me, Hope Says There's a Way, Merciful Jesus, Anyway, and Imagine God's Best. Steve shares that each of these songs serve to provide insight, hope and restoration for those walking through bouts of anxiety and how each of them came about.   Tony and Scott explain which songs were their favorites to work on in this album, as well as why they believe What Hope Says is one of the most impactful projects they have ever worked on. We highly encourage you to check out the full project through the link below on our website, but as always these songs are also available on all music streaming platforms. We hope this project can provide your or someone you know with anxiety the respite and healing they deserve!   Who is Scott Krippayne?   Scott Krippayne is an Emmy Award winning songwriter & producer based in the Seattle area. With 16 #1's, 23 other Top 10 singles, and over 500 songs recorded, Scott has enjoyed a productive career with success in multiple genres. His songs have appeared on releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Smash Mouth, Kool & The Gang, Kutless, and Joy Williams (of The Civil Wars) among others. In addition to having various songs used in films, Scott also penned the theme song for the Nick Jr. hit series Paw Patrol and has song placements on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, MTV, VH1, Disney, and more.   Who is Tony Wood? Tony Wood is a Dove Award nominee for "Songwriter of the Year" and is a five time Dove Award winner. He is the writer of 30 #1 songs at Christian radio. He began writing songs in high school for friends to sing at various churches in the community. He continued writing for the local church while a student at Averett College. After graduation, Tony and his wife Terri moved to Nashville in order to pursue songwriting professionally. In 1991, he signed his first publishing deal with Michael Puryear at Lorenz Creative Services/BMG Music Publishing. He has since written for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Essential Music Publishing. To date, over 800 of Tony's songs have been recorded and released in the Contemporary Christian Music Market.  Some of the artists who have given life to his lyrics include: Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Crabb, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many more.  Resources: Our listeners can check out the full project of "What Hope Says" on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/

We are very excited to bring you this episode today with guests Scott Krippayne, Tony Wood, and our own Steve Siler as they discuss the creation and release of Music for the Soul's latest project, What Hope Says. The team talks about how What Hope Says was conceptualized, and that after years of discussion with therapists, the number one issue most people encounter or experience in their day to day lives is anxiety. Steve goes on to explain we live in a world of constant stressors and stimulation that often times has us feeling overwhelmed and anxious, but also creates a pendulum effect where we also begin to feel anxious when there is nothing going on in our lives.   Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood share how they worked on different songs for the project including Prayers for the Anxious, No Wonder (We're Losing Our Minds), You Are Not What Happened To You, Overwhelmed, and more. They also explain how they applied their own experiences of anxiety to each of these pieces and why this project is coming out at such a crucial moment for all of us.   In times where every direction we look seems to be filled with anxiety producing stories or tasks, we hope that you will take the time to check out this project and see What Hope Says. This is the first part of a two part series, so we highly encourage you to come back to listen to part two as well!   Who is Scott Krippayne?   Scott Krippayne is an Emmy Award winning songwriter & producer based in the Seattle area. With 16 #1's, 23 other Top 10 singles, and over 500 songs recorded, Scott has enjoyed a productive career with success in multiple genres. His songs have appeared on releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Smash Mouth, Kool & The Gang, Kutless, and Joy Williams (of The Civil Wars) among others. In addition to having various songs used in films, Scott also penned the theme song for the Nick Jr. hit series Paw Patrol and has song placements on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, MTV, VH1, Disney, and more.   Who is Tony Wood? Tony Wood is a Dove Award nominee for "Songwriter of the Year" and is a five time Dove Award winner. He is the writer of 30 #1 songs at Christian radio. He began writing songs in high school for friends to sing at various churches in the community. He continued writing for the local church while a student at Averett College. After graduation, Tony and his wife Terri moved to Nashville in order to pursue songwriting professionally. In 1991, he signed his first publishing deal with Michael Puryear at Lorenz Creative Services/BMG Music Publishing. He has since written for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Essential Music Publishing. To date, over 800 of Tony's songs have been recorded and released in the Contemporary Christian Music Market.  Some of the artists who have given life to his lyrics include: Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Crabb, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many more.  Resources: Our listeners can check out the full project of "What Hope Says" on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/

Directing choirs is one of the most important pieces to delivering the emotion and depth of a song. That is why we are blessed to welcome Choral Director and Musician Chris Smith to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Chris shares his experience of directing choirs, starting in 1990 with a local church in Nashville at the request of one of his friends Reverend Dr. James K Bailey as a "one time thing".   From there, Chris discovered his passion not only for creating music, but also managing and directing it. He has gone on to work on many different Gospel songs and projects, including quite a few at Music for the Soul, and we are delighted for him to share what this has meant for him and the impact it has had on countless lives!     Who is Chris Smith? Christopher Smith is an amazing arranger, musician, choir director and contractor who has worked in the musical industry since becoming an organ player for his church when he was 17 years old. We are honored to have had Chris provide his talents on the following Music for the Soul Projects: After the Storm, Binder of the Broken, City of Hope, Where is the Ground, Child of God, Days of Hope, Dignity, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Hope Says There's A Way, More Than A Survivor, and Save a Child. Resources: Our listeners can hear one of the songs Chris Smith worked on, Precious Lord Take My Hand, and learn more about all of the projects Chris played a part in on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/precious-lord-take-my-hand/

We are incredibly blessed to welcome a living legend to the Music for the Soul Podcast today: Grammy Award-winning singer Larnelle Harris. Join us as Larnelle shares stories from his remarkable career and reveals how his passion for singing began. He talks about starting out as a percussionist before transitioning to being a singer. However, just as his career began to take off, he faced a life-changing challenge—losing his voice. Larnelle states that this was a critical moment in his career that led him to immerse himself in scripture and prayer, which fostered a strong relationship with the Lord.   Larnelle felt immense spiritual growth from that time and shares how he used that to grow a career spanning five decades, 18 albums, 5 Grammys, and countless other accolades. He shares invaluable lessons learned from both his faith and his time as a singer, emphasizing how God uniquely uses each person for His glory and the importance of remaining humble in the music industry.   Finally we talk about portions of his book, Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career, which our listeners can learn more about down below. We highly recommend today's episode as Larnelle is an excellent speaker, story teller, and a dear friend of Music for the Soul!   Who is Larnelle Harris? Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Larnelle Harris has become the personification of talent and integrity in a career that spans over five decades. He is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. He was twice inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as part of the Gaither Vocal Band. He has achieved nineteen #1 radio singles and a plethora of top 10 hits. Harris was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. He recently performed for the National Day of Prayer event in Washington D.C., at New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, and sang for a gathering of U.N. Ambassadors in our nation's capitol. Harris and his wife of 45 years, Cynthia (a.k.a. Mitzy), reside in Louisville, Kentucky. Resources: Our listeners can check out Larnelle's Book, Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Shaped-Notes-Ordinary-Extraordinary-Influenced-ebook/dp/B074JP7SK8?ref_=ast_author_dp You can checkout every song that Larnelle has worked on at Music for the Soul at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/product_musicians/larnelle-harris/  

Marketing is such an important aspect to businesses and non-profits alike. So what goes into managing a firm's brand image and creating engaging marketing that accurately reflects their message? We are blessed to have someone who has worked with Music for the Soul's social media and marketing for a few years, Kelsey Vredeveld.   Kelsey shares her story of finding her passion for marketing, what drew her to working with us at Music for the Soul, and how God played a pivotal role in guiding her down that path. She talks about how the Lord called upon her to take the chance as a young adult to move to Denver from Michigan, and why that was such an important point in her life. She also mentions her favorite things about working with Music for the Soul and some upcoming projects she is working on.   Who is Kelsey Vredeveld? Driven, passionate, creative thinker with a mind for marketing, Kelsey achieved a Bachelor of Arts from Hope College, double majoring in Communications and Business Management. She now works on actively expanding her professional experience in marketing, branding, and design. These explorations have granted proficiency in public speaking, time management, and attention to detail as well as professional training in digital promotion, public relations, web design, and graphic design suites. Kelsey has provided incredible work with Music for the Soul in managing our social media platforms, creating audiograms for those platforms and so much more. Resources: If you would like to reach out to Kelsey for work in Marketing, Social Media Management, or anything else she discussed in today's episode, you can reach her at her email: [email protected]

Finding your giftings in life can often take unexpected turns in where you end up and what the Lord calls you to do.    We are very blessed to welcome legendary violinist and long time musican with Music for the Soul projects, David Davidson, to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. David shares with us his story of studying and playing classical music from a young age. He shares that after picking up the violin at age 9, he continued to practice all throughout his academic career, where he would eventually earn a full scholarship to Florida State University. He would then go on to record and play dozens of pieces, while also developing a love for combining notes of classical violin with country, pop, and rock.    David shares with our listeners why he has such a passion for classical music, how it can help those looking to begin playing themselves, and why having excellent technique can really unlock the emotion of a song. David also is planning on starting a non-profit initiative with his wife that will offer day trips to a farm for children dealing with autism and other developmental disorders. We highly encourage you to listen to the end to hear more on that!   Who is David Davidson? Nashville-based session violinist David Davidson was born into a musical family and raised in Winter Haven, FL. He took up the piano at age five and began studying violin at nine. He received a violin scholarship to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, and turned professional at 19, initially working as a classical musician. He was concertmaster with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for four years. In 1983, he began playing non-classical recording sessions in Nashville, eventually appearing on albums by a wide variety of major country, pop, rock, and Contemporary Christian Music artists. He was a member of the A Strings, which recorded Home for Christmas on Warner Bros. Records and in 1992 organized David Davidson & the Praise Ensemble to record the instrumental Christian album Praise Ensemble. That was followed by Psalms of Everlasting Hope. Signing to the Green Hill label in the mid-'90s, he issued a series of instrumental albums, including Silver Screen Classics, Prelude to Joy, Phantom of Broadway, Heartstrings (a duet album with pianist Russell Davis), and, in 2000, Celtic Fantasy. Resources: Our listeners can learn about David's works, contact him, and more at his website: http://www.davidsviolin.com You can also listen to David's favorite song he worked on for Music for the Soul, I Miss You, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/i-miss-you/

Sexual Trauma is a topic that we have covered many times here on the Music for the Soul Podcast. The impact of sexual abuse and the subsequent trauma is an event that truly reshapes the brain of the person who has to endure the horrible actions of another person. However, we always want to remind survivors out there that there is hope and healing from sexual trauma.   That is why we are so blessed to welcome licensed therapist and founder of the Child Sexual Abuse Institute of Ohio, Vicky Didato. Vicky shares her experience of entering the professon of counseling despite it not being her initial career choice and what drove her to become a counselor for those suffering from sexual abuse. She explains where things like trauma are stored in the brain, why it's important to learn about how our left and right brain work, and how music and other areas of the five senses can unlock that trauma to begin the process of comprehension and healing.   Vicky also talks about why talk therapy alone doesn't always create the healing trauma survivors are looking for. She still highly recommends traditional talk therapy for clients struggling with their mental health and trauma, she breaks down how she has spent more than 30 years going beyond traditional talk therapy and why it has been so impactful to her client.   Who is Vicky Didato? As Founder and Director of the Child Sexual Abuse Institute of Ohio (CSAIO), Victoria Kepler Didato has spent more than 30 years helping children and families throughout the state. Based out of Wooster, Victoria Kepler Didato and CSAIO provide consultation, training, and education for social workers and counseling professionals across America and have served over 30,000 individuals since 1982. Through CSAIO, Victoria Kepler Didato shares her experience and wisdom with professionals of all types, and has fulfilled contracts with sheriff's departments and children's services boards in Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In her private practice as a counselor, Victoria Kepler Didato assists victims of sexual assault, trauma, and mental health disorders through individual and group therapy. Resources: Our listeners can reach out to Vicky at her email, [email protected]. You can also find some of the blog posts and songs from Music for the Soul we discussed today at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/news_topics/sexual-abuse/

We have spoken a lot about loss on the Music for the Soul Podcast and how it affects all of us on a deep level physically, mentally and spiritually. But how should we walk through continual losses? When it seems loss begets loss and we struggle to find any mountain tops in the valleys of grief? Well we are so blessed to welcome Lee Spotts to share his story of hope through loss on this episode. Lee is a Worship Leader and Christian Counselor who's message is that music provides us with an outlet to feel and redirects our gaze to how God helps us through loss. Lee talks about enduring the loss of several family members and what scripture tells us about loss, grief, and hope. Lee shares how transformational music was in his own story of coping through his losses and finding healing, which led him to working on the song we will be discussing today, Depth of Love.  Resources: Our listeners can reach out to Lee at his email, [email protected]  You can also checkout his music on his YouTube Channel at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/@BreadofPeaceMusic-1955?app=desktop

We all strive in life to find comfort in a job and settle into a routine with it. However, what should we do if we feel the Lord calling to us that our season is changing? How can we find comfort in moments of our lives that feel downright uncomfortable?   We are so blessed to welcome Grammy-Nominated Singer and Songwriter Denise Carite to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Denise has had a very illustrious career performing with artists such as Cold Play, Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, and many others. She also worked on The Voice for over 5 years before feeling called by the Lord to pursue other projects and focus on refining her relationship with God.   Denise talks about what it was like leaving a dream job of hers to work on other projects, and how she has learned to rest and find solace in the Holy Spirit, even in the midst of uncertainty and discomfort. Denise also shares her advice for those pursuing singing as a career and why training your voice is an emotional undertaking as much as it is a physical one.   Who is Denise Carite? For over a decade, PA native Denise Carite has been in the music industry. With broadway and traditional music sparking the flame in her youth, she then pursued versatility within her craft. Her discipline brought her to her first US tour with John Legend at the early age of 18 years old. She then went on to study music business at Berklee College of Music with a Presidential Scholarship.  She has recorded with Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, 30 Seconds to Mars, Adam Lambert, Moby, Coldplay, and has sung on the films Jordan Peele's Us, The Lion King, Just Mercy, Hidden Figures, the Boss Baby, Monster High: The Great Scarrier Reef, and is the singing voice of R&B on Trollstopia. She has two song placements as a co-writer with Coldplay on "Higher Power" and Daya's "Sit Still, Look Pretty" debut album.  While these life-changing opportunities have fueled her artistic fire, they have simultaneously kept Denise humbled and inspired. Her main goal is to not only apply what she has learned to her own artistic and creative presence, but also share it and help others reach their highest potential.  Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Denise by visiting her website: https://www.theladyproductions.com You can also email Denise at [email protected]

We've spoken before about the difficulties caregiving can present to those caring for a parent or child and the strain it can put on the relationships in a family. Sometimes it can feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. So what can we do to find the beautiful in the ashes and pain of caring for a loved one?   We are so blessed to welcome Award-Winning Author and Speaker Shelly Beach to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Shelly talks about her deep understanding of caregivers' needs that comes from the years she took care of her father-in-law and then her own parents. She breaks down what caregivers need to do not only to provide optimal care to their loved one, but also how they can ensure they stay energetic, calm, and fulfilled by the promise of the Lord.   Shelly also provides tips for what caregivers can do to find their "me time" and why they should ensure they focus on themselves in the midst of taking care of someone else. Finally, Shelly talks about why it is so important to start conversations with loved ones early to prevent the obligation of caregiving from straining relationships both emotionally and financially.   Who is Shelly Beach?   Shelly Beach has invested her life in the field of communication as an educator, administrator, writer, and writing consultant for the past thirty years. Shelly is the author of eight books and co-author of numerous others with a Pulitzer Prize finalist, New York Times best-selling author, presidential advisor, and other national leaders. She is also a caregiving expert for Caring.com, writing to an audience of over 2 million. Shelly presents seminars on her book The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk in seminars, conferences, and in prisons across the nation as a speaker with Daughters of Destiny prison ministry. Shelly is a graduate of Oakland University and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. She and her husband Dan reside in Rockford, Michigan, where they attend Blythefield Hills Church. They have two adult children who reside in Iowa and Washington State. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Shelly by visiting her website: https://www.shellybeachonline.com You can also find Shelly on Facebook at the link here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Caregiving-Journey/100064434984573/  

We've spoken a lot about abuse on this show and the lasting, traumatic impact it has on victims lives. So what does God say about abuse? What verses can we turn to when someone we know suffers from an abusive situation?   We are so blessed to welcome Dale and Faith Ingraham from Speaking Truth In Love to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Faith tells her story as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from her father, who was a pastor at their local church. She describes her relationship with the Lord as she experienced the abuse, how she moved forward from the traumatic incident, and what she is doing now to help other victims find healing and hope.   Dale has been preaching to churches since starting his ministry back in 1983. He shares Biblical advice and verse from scripture that answer the question "What does God say about abuse, and why doesn't He stop it?" Dale also shares his recommendations to churches around the world and how churches in America are currently failing to help abuse victims find healing.   Who are Dale and Faith Ingraham? Dale Ingraham graduated from Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City, NY in 1983. He has been a pastor of several churches since beginning his ministry in 1983.  In 2020, he resigned from Curtis Baptist Bible Church in Campbell, NY,  where he served as their pastor for 20 years, to devote himself fully to the ministry of Speaking Truth in Love.  He is the author of "Tear Down This Wall of Silence". He also serves on the board of MK Safety Net US.  He is a speaker, trainer, author and strong advocate for victims and survivors of abuse. Faith Ingraham is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She has been serving with her husband in pastoral ministry since 1984.  She is an author, speaker, life coach and strong advocate against domestic violence and abuse. Dale and Faith have been married since 1984.  She home schooled all five of their children and enjoys spending time with their grown children and grandchildren. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Dale and Faith's ministries, Speaking Truth in Love, and listen to their podcast as well at the link here: www.speakingtruthinlove.org You can also get in touch with Dale through his email, [email protected] and their cellphone number is 607-542-0316

Getting good at any skill is something that takes practice. So, how can we learn to stay committed to our passions and refine them to the best of our abilities?   Well, we are extremely blessed to welcome legendary musician, producer and composer, Jason Webb to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Jason speaks about his work in music starting at the age of 5, surrounded by a prolific family of musician. He shares how he developed a love for music as a whole, and how he dabbles in a variety of genres, styles and motifs.    From there, Jason speaks about why he is so passionate about music, what his goal is in creating songs and melodies, and how he has developed a love for practice as much as the final product. When it comes to a career that spans as long as his, Jason explains that perseverance and practice are what lead to the results God has in store for all of our gifts and talents.   Who is Jason Webb? Widely known for his signature keyboard style and consummate musical versatility, Jason Webb is a recording musician, producer, arranger and composer in Nashville, Tennessee.  A native of Dayton, Ohio, Jason began his musical studies at age 5. His early musical experiences revolved around playing in church and studying classical piano, and within a few short years he developed a keen ear and prodigious technique.  Jason has played on scores of recordings, providing music for singers, songwriters, record labels, publishers, television, movies and video games. In addition to his busy recording session schedule, Jason is an in-demand composer, arranger and producer, and his compositions and arrangements continue to be performed and recorded by artists and ensembles all over the world. Jason lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee with his wife and two sons. Resources: Learn more about Jason's works, including his collaborations for Music for the Soul, on his website: https://www.jasonwebbmusic.com

On today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are blessed to welcome Dove Award winning songwriter Belinda Smith as our guest. Belinda shares her journey into becoming a songwriter starting during her childhood in the church services led by her grandfather in West Virginia. She explains how in songwriting it is important to find ways past the "editors" that live in our minds in order to get to the true depth a song can bring.   Belinda also discusses what is important to look for when finding a co-writer on a song or project as well as different techniques she uses to inspire creativity when she is writing her songs. Belinda hosts songwriting workshops throughout the year, which you can learn more about in the resources below!   Who is Belinda Smith? Belinda is a Dove Award winning songwriter based in Nashville, TN. She has been a professional songwriter and session singer since 1997 when she moved to Nashville from West Virginia. Belinda has had well over a hundred songs recorded by artists ranging from Grammy-nominated Ty Herndon to the Dove Award winning group Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Along with that, she has been honored with other Dove nominations, enjoyed several #1 songs and has three BMI Awards to date. Resources: Our listeners can visit Belinda's website, Unhooked Life, at the link here: https://www.unhookedlife.com You can also check out her Facebook Community page at the link here: https://m.facebook.com/belindasmithcreative

On this special episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are taking time to talk about the life and impact of a dear friend to Music for the Soul, James Eric Myers. Eric tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident at just 49 years old. So today, we are going to speak about how extraordinary Eric was in transforming the lives of others.   Eric, a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in the U.S. Army, worked passionately on helping other returning veterans with PTSD. He helped work on a number of projects for Music for the Soul, including Songs from the Garage, which is a collection of songs that is an honest reflections about painful seasons in his life and the gift of love. Eric was an incredible husband, father and friend and he will be missed greatly.    Who was James Eric Myers? James Eric Myers, known as Eric, proudly served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He loved writing and recording music, mostly Christian songs and songs for veterans, especially those suffering with PTSD. He worked on several projects for Music for the Soul, including Anonymous Man and I've Never Known. His other loves were his family, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and helping anyone in need. He was a kind and loving soul that will be missed by everyone that knew him. Resources: If you are a veteran or know a veteran who is struggling with PTSD or any other crisis, we encourage you to reach out to the Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 There is also a website for veterans called Stop Soldier Suicide, which you can access at the link here: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org You can get access to a five song album with devotional written by Eric at the link here: https://iccicoaching.com/product/when-war-comes-home-album-devotional/ Our listeners can get access to projects Eric worked on, like Songs from the Garage, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/songs-from-the-garage/

Losing a child is a grief that no parent should ever have to walk through. So what can you do if tragedy strikes and your child loses their life?   We are so blessed to have Daphne Greer share her story on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Daphne speaks about the tragic day in 2008 when she lost her 5 year old daughter in a car accident, how she was able to find life again after the loss of her daughter, and how she is now working to help other grieving parents do the same.   Daphne speaks on the importance of faith in God, finding community, and how music can allow us to walk through the unique emotions of grief after losing a child. If you or someone you know has lost a child, we highly encourage you to listen to Daphne's story. There is hope and you are not alone.   Who is Daphne Greer? Daphne Bach Greer was raised in a small ranching town in eastern Oregon,and graduated from Western Oregon University in law enforcement. She went on to a lengthy career as an adult parole officer. Following a devastating car accident in 2008, which resulted in the tragic death of her five year old daughter, Daphne found a new purpose and passion in life. In 2011, she co-founded a non-profit in memory of her daughter, Lydia's Love, which provides birthday celebrations to children in need. She blogs at https://grievinggumdrops.com/, and writes about finding hope amidst grief and loss. She is the author of Barely Breathing: 10 Secrets to Surviving the Loss of a Child, and co-author of Grief Diaries-Will We Survive book-a collection of stories from parents on marriage after the death of a child. Daphne is a speaker, grief coach, and advocate for others. Resources: Our listeners can check learn more about Daphne's coaching, find her books and more on her website: https://www.grievinggumdrops.com We also encourage you to check out her non-profit, Lydia's Love, at the link here: http://www.lydiaslove.org

Hymns are some of the most spiritually deep, emotionally charged songs in all of scripture. So how can these hymns provide hope to us in times of sudden or chronic suffering?   We are so blessed to have author, speaker and singer Joni Eareckson Tada as our guest on today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Joni speaks about how she has become someone who preaches hope in the midst of constant suffering and how hymns have created a lasting, transformational change in her life.   She also explains how she used her knowledge on leading others in devotion through hymns to write her book, Songs of Suffering, and how it is a source of comfort for anyone who needs hope in the hardships of life.   Who is Joni Eareckson Tada? Joni Eareckson Tada is a beloved Christian author, speaker and an internationally renowned advocate for people with disabilities. She is Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization known for sharing hope through hardship within the disability community. Located in Agoura Hills, California, the Joni and Friends International Disability Center serves as hub for a global outreach which impacts hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and their families.  Resources: Our listeners can check out Joni's Book, Songs of Suffering, as well as her entire catalogue of songs and more on her website: https://www.joniandfriends.org

God is the guiding force in our lives in everything that we do and it is through His words that we can change lives for the better. But what exactly does that look like when it comes to songwriting or performing?   We are so blessed to have Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter couple Sam and Becca Mizell on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Sam and Becca share their story of how the Lord brought them together and really laid on their heart that they were meant to be husband and wife. From there, they talk about becoming a singing/songwriting duo with songs that "ache" with the emotions of life's trials.   Sam discusses why he thought it was so important to focus more on the heart and soul of a song than it was to write something that he thought would sell well. Becca also explains how she doesn't see herself as a performer, but rather someone who uses her gifts in singing to share messages that provide healing, hope and inspiration for what God can do in our lives.   Who are Sam and Becca Mizell? Sam and Becca Mizell are singer/songwriters from outside the Nashville area. They have been making music for around 20 years. Between them, they share 3 Grammy Nominations, 2 ASCAP Songs Of The Year, 7 #1 Songs, and 2 Dove Awards. Becca is also a featured vocalist on Hidden In My Heart Scripture Lullabies. Their latest collaboration, LIFE Vol. 1, showcases their talent through several songs written for well-known artists ("King Of The World" by Natalie Grant, "The Motions" by Matthew West, "Broken Ladders" by Selah) as well as brand new compositions. Their prayer is that you will be richly blessed as you listen and that God alone will be glorified.. Resources: Our listeners can check out all of their songs on their official YouTube Channel at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/@SamandBeccaMizell/featured

Pornography addiction is something we've talked about extensively on this show and we've showcased the devistation it can have on someone's life, their relationships and their faith in God. So what leads people to pick up this addiction and how can they free themselves from it?   We are so excited to have singer, musician and worship leader Michael O'Brien as our guest on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Michael shares his story of becoming a musician who played all over the country, spending over 250 nights a year away from his family. While he sang about overcoming his addictions to other vices like alcohol, he slowly began to develop a new addiction.   Michael explains what caused his addiction to finally spill over from being a secret only he knew, to something his wife discovered. From there he discusses how he overcame that addiction, but most importantly, how God used this as a way to not only bring sanctity back into his marriage, but make his relationship with the Lord stronger than ever as well.   Who is Michael O'Brien? Michael David O'Brien is an American Christian musician and worship leader, who primarily plays Christian pop and contemporary worship music. He released eight solo albums since 1990. He was a touring member of the Heritage Singers, before becoming a full-fledged member of NewSong, in 1999. He started his music recording career in 1990, with the album, Someone Needs to Tell Them, which was an Indie project. His subsequent album, Michael O'Brien, was released in 1995, with Benson Records. The third album, Conviction, was released in 1996, again by Benson Records. He released, Godspeed, in 1998, also with Benson Records. His fifth studio album, Something About Us, was released in 2007, with Miracle Productions. He released his 6th album "Be Still My Soul" in 2010. And then his first holiday album, Christ'mas, in 2013, by Miracle Productions. His eighth album, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, was released in 2015, with Miracle productions. And he just released his latest project "Crown Him" in 2020. Resources: You can learn more about Michael's work, view his live videos, and see upcoming events on his website: www.michaelo.org To book Michael, our listeners can reach him at his email: [email protected]  

When God calls us to follow His voice, we often don't know the paths He is taking us down. However, it is always so important to listen to Him when He speaks, because He takes us to places we could only dream about.    That is why we are so blessed to welcome Recording Artist and Songwriter, Lisa Bevill, to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Lisa shares the story of getting starting in her career as a jingle singer before releasing her first album in 1992. From there she talks about having God reach out to her and lead her to start her own girl's camp to help young girls who were struggling with various physical, mental and spiritual challenges.   From there, she goes on to discuss her 15 year battle with Lyme disease, and how the Lord took moments of great suffering and used them as a transformational experience that has helped her go on to assist countless people who are also suffering from the condition.   Who is Lisa Bevill? Lisa Bevill is an American Contemporary Christian musician best known for Christian radio hits such as Number Condemnation, Only a Saviour and Hold On. Lisa has performed with and sung on albums for a wide range of artists, including Amy Grant, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt, John Tesh, Reba McEntire, James Ingram, Michael West. Smith, Carman, Donna Summer, Petra, the late Rich Mullins, Kim Hill, Kathy Troccoli, Cindy Morgan, Twila Paris, Newsong, Margaret Becker and many others, before she went on her own. In addition, she has recorded jingles for many different companies, including McDonalds, Wrigley"s Doublemint, Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler/Dodge, Domino"s Pizza, Frito Lay, Arby"s, Radio Shack, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Stanley Steamer and many others Resources: Listen to all of Lisa's work on Music for the Soul's projects including Binder of the Broken at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/product_musicians/lisa-bevill/ You can also check out Lisa's Facebook page at the link here: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBevillMusic/

Caregiving is one of the most challenging and intense experiences a parent or a child can face as they walk through life. Whether its taking care of an elderly parent or caring for a child with special needs, it can be difficult to know where to turn for help or when you should pass off caregiving to a full time team.   That is why we are so grateful to have Author Jolene Philo as our guest on today's episode. Jolene Philo has the unique perspective of being both the child of, and the parent of, someone with a disability. She shares what it was like caring for her father, who was diagnosed with MS, at an early age and how that quickly became her family's "normal". Jolene then speaks about raising her son who was born with a life-threatening birth defect and had to have multiple surgeries throughout his life.   Jolene then took her experiences and wrote several books including Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The Five Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She says the reason she felt called to write these books was so devastated parents could begin to place their hope in God's dream for their children.   Who is Jolene Philo? Jolene Philo grew up in a caregiving family and raised a son with medical special needs. As a teacher, she created an inclusive classroom for children with disabilities for 25 years. She's authored several books, including Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs and Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The Five Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She hosts the award winning blog, www.DifferentDream.com. Jolene and her husband live in a multigenerational family in Iowa with her daughter, son-in-law and their two young children. Resources: Our listeners can access free caregiving resources, check out her books, and schedule coaching sessions on her website: https://www.differentdream.com You can also check out for Jolene's blog and fictional works by visiting her other website: https://www.jolenephilo.com

We've talked about navigating very difficult situations a lot on the Music for the Soul Podcast. But how can we begin to lean into our identity as a child of Christ when so many of our questions don't seem to have concrete answers?   We are so blessed to welcome the incredibly talented singer, songwriter, pianist and worship leader, Shannon Adducci to this episode of The Music for the Soul Podcast. Shannon not only shares her stories of hardship and adversity in her walk through life, but also the reason why asking questions is such a vital part of our faith. She speaks to the importance of leaning on God in all moments of our lives, even when we don't always get definitive answers to the "how" and "why."   Sharron explains how she used her anxiety and adversity as a driving force to write music that dives into deep emotional struggles. She also says that, with God as our Heavenly Father, it is never too late to get started and never too late to get back up.   Who is Shannon Adducci? Shannon Adducci is a beloved singer, songwriter and worship leader who writes from the deep places of struggle and joy in her own story. After graduating from Christ for the Nations and Dallas Baptist University, she began to work with musical artists and ministries such as Women of Faith, Revive Our Hearts, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Integrity Music, Maranatha! Music, Focus on the Family, Our Daily Bread, Jared Anderson, Paul Baloche, & others. Sharron has also had the privilege of writing and recording six albums of her own thus far and also writing for other artists over the years. Resources: Our listeners can purchase Shannon's full catalogue of music, read her blog posts and more on her website: https://www.shannonadduccimusic.com

Don't settle for shallow. Those are the words today's guest left with us as we concluded our discussion. At Music for the Soul, we write songs that speak honestly about some of life's toughest challenges, because we know that songs can help rescue a hurting soul.   Our guest on today's show is Gospel Music Hall of Fame member, Grammy and Dove Award winning lyricist, Gloria Gaither. Gloria shares with us her story of working on hundreds of musical releases throughout her career, and how she was inspired to write music that wasn't just catchy or "mainstream", but spoke to the souls of people walking through different adversities in life. She also talks about the importance of having horizontal praise in addition to vertical praise.   Gloria explains that many people proclaim that "God is great", but don't apply God's greatness to their lives and their neighbors. We need to not only know that God is great, but WHY God is great and HOW we can apply that to serving others in God's name.   Who is Gloria Gaither? For more than fifty years, Bill and Gloria Gaither have shared a mutual dedication to combining great art and great theology. As a result, they have created a lasting legacy in the field of gospel music and beyond. Together they have written more than 700 songs, created hundreds of award-winning recordings and a dozen timeless musicals that have been sung for decades. Gloria also traveled with the Bill Gaither Trio for twenty years before she turned to her graduate work in literature. In recognition of Gloria and Bill's vast contribution to the gospel music industry, they were named ASCAP's Christian Songwriters of the Century in 2000. Also on their long list of special honors with Grammy Awards and Dove Awards, is their induction into Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Gloria has long been a student of literature, with special interest in the works of John Steinbeck. She has contributed papers and reviews on his writing in a variety of academic settings. She has been published in the Steinbeck Academic Journal both in the United States and abroad. She has written more than 40 books, including titles for adults and children, created scripts for over 100 videos in the chart-topping Homecoming series, and for 15 years she led the vision for Homecoming Magazine, an innovative publication for which she guided the themes, wrote features, and did milestone interviews. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Gloria's musical releases on her website: https://www.gaither.com/artists/gloria-gaither/ You can also check out Gloria's Blog, Love Song To My Life, at the link here: https://www.lovesongtomylife.com

We've talked before on The Music For The Soul Podcast about the impact music can have on the lives of others and how you never know just how many lives you touch with your voice.   That is why we are so excited to have singer, songwriter and composer extrodinare, Danny Mitchell, to share stories from his career working in music. Danny talks about how he got started in composing and performing music, how he overcame self-doubt in his work, and how he has seen his performances impact the lives of others.   He also shares how projects he's worked on for Music for the Soul have impacted his own life and why it is so important to create as an artist, because it allows us to create a ripple effect that can touch the lives of others.   Who is Danny Mitchell? Born and raised in Wisconsin, Danny moved to Nashville shortly after earning his bachelor's degree in jazz piano and composition. Since then, he has worked steadily as a freelance musician in and around Nashville, and across the country. As a composer and arranger, Danny's work runs the gamut from small chamber pieces to full symphonic works. His "Dawning of a Soul" has been performed by the National Wind Ensemble in New York City's Carnegie Hall under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds. In 2021, Danny was commissioned by the University of Wisconsin to compose a piece of music that reflected the hardship we experienced during the pandemic of 2020 and beyond. "From the Depths We Rise" received its world premiere by the University of Wisconsin-Madison wind ensemble under the direction of Scott Teeple in April 2022. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Danny's music, upcoming projects and more on his website: https://www.dannymitchellmusic.com

We've talked many times on this show about how anxiety and depression are some of the fastest growing illnesses world wide and how debilitating they can be. What role does expression through song and art play in allowing us to reveal our true selves through who God has called us to be?   We are so blessed to have singer-songwriter and worship leader Jen Mozley on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Jen talks about growing up feeling suppressed from pursuing a passion in music. She describes how she overcame her anxiety, depression and ADHD by learning to do one extraordinary thing a day.   Jen explains when we break things down to just do one thing at a time, it can help overcome those feelings of being overwhelmed and intimidated. From there, that one extraordinary thing every day begins to work in our lives to transform our lives from ordinary to extraordinary with the grace, love and empathy that come from our Father in Heaven.   Who is Jen Mozley? As a passionate singer-songwriter, and worship leader, Jen Mozley's zeal for music began as a little child listening to her father sing and play piano her church in Georgia.  Her main desire is to spread the love of Christ through her words and music to inspire others to chase after God's own heart.  She is blessed to be married to an amazing man and to be a mom to her beautiful, fun loving daughter.  Her entire family is so encouraging and supportive. Currently, Jen is the worship leader at Rivertown Church in Columbus, GA.  If you are local and looking for a church home, she'd love to see you there!  Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Jen's songs, including Reveal Me, as well as reach out to Jen on her website, https://www.jenmozleymusic.com  

What if children and pre-teens had buttons and switches that allowed them to turn off or tone down negative emotions such as anger or hurt and turn up positive ones like love and compassion? How can we teach our children to understand not only the emotions they feel, but how to control them as well?   We are so excited to welcome author and speaking, Michelle Steffes, as she walks us through the science of our emotions and how we can teach our children to be resilient in a post-pandemic world. Michelle shares her years of research into complex topics such as resilience, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence, and how each of these can be broken down into simple ideas that children and pre teens can grasp.   We also talk about her book, The Machine Inside Me: How to change your brain and discover the power within you!, which we believe is an invaluable resource not only for parents of young children, but adults themselves into learning the how and why of emotional control.   Who is Michelle Steffes? Michelle is the Founder and CEO of IPV Consulting, Founder of IPV Group Coaching and Creator of the 5 in 5 Performance Coaching Program. Featured in multiple magazine publications, radio programs and national media networks, her clientele includes a plethora of corporations, executives and individuals desiring effective change in business and life. Steffes has completed over 10,000 hours of study in neuroscience, physiology and human behavior. She empowers by utilizing cognitive methods to accelerate growth, increase performance and transform self-defeating mindsets. Resources: Check out Michelle's Book, The Machine Inside Me: How to change your brain and discover the power within you!, at the Amazon link here: https://www.amazon.com/Machine-Inside-Me-change-discover/dp/1625862377 Learn more about Michelle's work with speaking, coaching, training and more on her website here: https://ipvconsulting.com/