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: steve@musicforthesoul.org
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: kvredeve@gmail.com