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Music for the Soul PodcastEpisode 97: Finding Healing through Adopting a Dog with Author Carmen Leal“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 thro...2025-06-1837 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 96: Healing the Abortion Wounded Heart with Sheila HarperWe 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 wo...2025-05-2141 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 95: We're All In This Together: Tell Us Your StoriesOn 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 h...2025-04-1637 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 94: Miscarriage From a Husband's Perspective with Brian Parker 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 whol...2025-03-1941 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home MinistryGod 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...2025-02-1938 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 92: Counselor and Author Lisa Saruga Shares The Trauma Tree 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 lik...2025-01-2246 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 91: Living Legends - with Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, & Bob Farrell 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...2024-12-1847 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 90: Tips for Overcoming Sadness at the Holidays with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Sue Foster 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 th...2024-12-0444 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 89: Imagining God's Best for Your Life with Vocalist Ally JacksonWe'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 p...2024-11-2038 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 88: Exploring the Freedom and Calm of Performing Music with Jennifer Roig-FrancoliStress 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 t...2024-11-0651 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 83: Steve Siler Shares the Story Behind the Song and Music Video Whole in the Sight of GodThis 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...2024-11-0334 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 87: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 2Welcome 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 i...2024-10-2345 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 86: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 1We 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...2024-10-1650 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 85: Choral Director Chris Smith's Journey of Harmonizing Faith in Ministry and MusicDirecting 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 d...2024-10-0244 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 84: Legendary Gospel Singer Larnelle Harris Shares How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced His Career in Music 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. Lar...2024-09-181h 00Music for the Soul PodcastEpisode 82: Marketing Professional Kelsey Vredeveld Talks The Ins and Outs of Digital Marketing and Social MediaMarketing 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 c...2024-08-2140 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 81: Violinist David Davidson Shares His Journey from the Classics to the Nashville Recording StudioFinding 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 Un...2024-08-0731 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 80: Left Brain/Right Brain and Healing Trauma with Licensed Therapist Vicky DidatoSexual 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 d...2024-07-2446 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 80: Getting To The Root of Sexual Trauma and Healing in the Brain with Licensed Therapist Vicky DidatoSexual 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 d...2024-07-1747 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 79: Worship Leader and Christian Counselor Lee Spotts Talks with Us About The Sonic Anointing of Music and Its Power to Help People Cope with Loss 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...2024-07-1039 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 78: Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable withFinding Comfort in the Uncomfortable with Singer Extraordinaire Denise CariteWe 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 o...2024-06-2641 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 77: Finding The Beautiful In The Ashes and Pain of Caregiving with Award Winning Author Shelly BeachWe'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 t...2024-06-1243 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 76: “What Does God Say about Abuse?” with Dale and Faith IngrahamWe'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 a...2024-05-2949 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 75: Legendary Musician Jason Webb Talk About The Importance of Practice, Perseverance and Personal FaithGetting 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 spe...2024-05-1544 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 74: Songwriter Belinda Smith Talks Songs, Co-Writing, and CreativityOn 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 t...2024-05-0144 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 73: Honoring the Life of James Eric Myers and His Mission to Serve Veterans with PTSDOn 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 S...2024-04-1745 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 72: Restoring Life and Igniting Hope After the Loss of a Child with Daphne GreerLosing 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 im...2024-04-0339 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 71: How Hymns can Help in our Suffering with Joni Eareckson TadaHymns 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 hy...2024-03-2031 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 70: Discovering God's Guiding Hand in Singing and Songwriting with Sam and Becca MizellGod 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...2024-03-0645 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 69: Singer Michael O'Brien Talks about Overcoming Pornography and Restoring His MarriagePornography 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 o...2024-02-2842 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 68: Recording Artist Lisa Bevill Shares About Her Career, Her Girls Camp, and Her Battle with Lyme diseaseWhen 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 le...2024-02-2147 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 67: Author Jolene Philo Joins Us To Talk About Caregiving and Loving Children With DisabilitiesCaregiving 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 s...2024-02-1439 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 66: Singer/Songwriter Shannon Adducci Shares About Leaning Into Our Identity As A Beloved Children of GodWe'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. S...2024-02-0739 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 65: How a Song Can Rescue a Hurting Soul with Gloria GaitherDon'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 s...2024-01-3158 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 64: Analyzing the Impact of Music on People's Lives with Award Winning Composer Danny MitchellWe'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 Mu...2024-01-2453 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 63: Jen Mozley on Overcoming Anxiety and the Power of the Arts in WorshipWe'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 t...2024-01-1739 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 62: Empowering Children to Understand Their Emotions with Michelle SteffesWhat 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 a...2024-01-1037 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 61: Becky Nordquist & Steve Siler talk Resolutions, Healing, and Living by the Fruits of the Spirit in the New YearOn this inaugural episode of the new year, Steve Siler and Becky Nordquist talk about their resolutions for the new year, how they found healing in 2023, and why living by the fruits of the spirit should be a goal we all strive for as we enter into 2024. They share what they are looking forward to in this coming year and ways that they hope to grow in God's grace, love and empathy, as well as recognizing that we all create impacts in other peoples' lives. Even if we don't see the full scope of how we touched...2024-01-0437 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 60: Chris Bailey Joins us for a Two-Topic Episode about Podcast Production and Living with DiabetesWe are blessed to bring you podcasts every week that share stories from talented individuals. So, what does the Music for the Soul Podcast look like behind the scenes? What goes into making a Music for the Soul Podcast episode? Our podcast producer, Chris Bailey, joins us on this week's episode to talk about what it's been like producing the show for over a year. He also talks about his work on the song Crooked Road and what it has been like growing up with Type One Diabetes for over 15 years. Chris shares why it is so important to allow o...2023-12-2737 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 59: The Beauty of Healing Dance With Tara YoungWe have often talked about the healing power of music and its ability to draw us closer to God to find hope and healing. Dancing offers another form of healing and grace to those facing physical, mental, or spiritual hardships. That is why we are so excited this week to talk with Choreographer and Assistant Director of the Wings to Fly Dance Company, Tara Young about the beauty and healing of dance. Tara believes that everyone should have the opportunity to dance and has worked to help those with disabilities find their "wings to fly" so that they can experience t...2023-12-2034 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 58: The Life Changing Power of Storytelling with Author and Radio Host Chris FabryWe have talked many times on this podcast about the transformational power songwriting holds. However, the same is true with the world of storytelling. Novels have the abilities to not only help us empathize with those living different lives for us, but can also help put into words what we are walking through ourselves. That is why we are honored to have award-winning author and radio host, Chris Fabry, on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Chris shares his personal story of what led him to begin writing as an author and how he has been a...2023-12-1344 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 53: Learning to Pray for Our Kids with Award Winning Songwriter Tony WoodAs parents, we all want the best for our children as they grow up. So how can we learn to pray for our children not just in the current moment, but also for their future? We are so blessed to welcome Award winning songwriter and author Tony Wood back to the Music for the Soul Podcast. Tony shares details from his latest book Lord, Help Me Pray for My Kids: 365 Heartfelt Prayers for Parents and how he began learning to pray for his children and grandchildren. Tony talks about how the desire to write this book began when he started jou...2023-12-1328 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 55: A Life in Music with Recording Engineer with Kent HooperCreating music is rarely something that happens over night. It is a journey through a lifetime of connections, memories and experiences. So what does that journey look like for those who walk it? We are so excited to have Grammy nominated, award winning recording engineer Kent Hooper on today's episode fo the Music for the Soul Podcast. Kent breaks down his decades of experience working in the music industry, what drew him to becoming a recording engineer, and the things he's learned from working with some of the biggest names in music. Kent also describes how his faith with the Lor...2023-12-1332 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 57: Steve Siler and Becky Nordquist Share Christmas "Favorites" and Music for the Little Soul ChristmasOn this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, hosts Steve Siler and Becky Nordquist talk about their absolute favorites during the Christmas season. They share their favorite Christmas cookies, Christmas movies, and their favorite Christmas memories. Steve and Becky also talk about how the Christmas season is a time that allows them to reflect on all of the grace and love God has shown them throughout the year. Steve shares the story of the creation of The Music for the Little Soul Christmas Album, a Christmas album of 15 classics and 10 creative new songs designed specifically for children. O...2023-12-0632 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 56: Looking Behind the Curtain of Audio Engineering with Kent Hooper On this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast we welcome back audio engineer extrodinare Kent Hooper. Kent Hooper has been making Music for the Soul sound great for over 20 years. Today, Kent shares more of a behind the curtain look at audio engineering and what it has been like working for so many big names in the industry throughout his career. He also talks about some of his favorite projects that he has worked on, why audio engineering is such a rewarding profession, and offers advice for those who are looking to dip their feet into the wor...2023-11-2934 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 54: Finding Courage and Confidence in Midlife with Author Dawn DamonReaching midlife can be a challenge for all of us. We become introspective and wonder "have I done all I've wanted to do with my life?" How can we transition into our midlife with confidence and find the courage to take charge of what God has in store for us? We are so excited to welcome Best Selling Author Dawn Damon back to the Music for the Soul Podcast. Dawn shares excerpts from her new book, The Making of a BraveHearted Woman: Courage, Confidence, and Vision in Midlife, and how we can step into the brilliance that God has laid ou...2023-11-1534 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 52: Finding the Joys of God's Creation through the Arts with Jeff and Linda CrossanOne of the most vivid and inspiring ways God reveals himself to us is through creativity. So how can we channel that creativity into our own lives? How can artistic media like painting, pottery, and songwriting create a deep spiritual connection with God? We are so excited to have Jeff and Linda Crossan on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast to share their experiences creating a variety of art and why it has been impactful to their spiritual life. Jeff and Linda also talk about how art can be a great reflection on life, because even w...2023-11-0147 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 51: Processing Emotions after Loss with Missy DuCharmeOne of the most difficult things people face when experiencing loss is processing the tsunami of emotions that flood their lives. That is why we are so blessed to have singer/songwriter Missy DuCharme on today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Missy shares her story of losing her daughter and how that led to her creating an organization that brings the healing nature of music to parents and families walking through the same valley of grief. Missy talks about how singing to her daughter before she passed gave her the inspiration to raise funds for organizations like Bos...2023-10-2531 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 50: Choosing Joy in the Middle of Pain with Amanda CurrieWe all know that grief and tragedy are part of this fallen world we live in. So, what can we do to find ways to choose joy in the midst of the pain of grief? Our guest on today's show is photographer and musical artist Amanda Currie. Amanda tells her story of walking through grief for most of her life, including the loss of her younger brother when he was only 20 years old. She talks about recognizing that grief and joy are often intertwined together and how she is able to find joy in moments of grief. From helping photograph j...2023-10-2432 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 49: Finding Hope after Pregnancy and Infant Loss with Julie ReuschelWhat would you do if you heard your doctor tell your your child was "incompatable with life"? That is exactly what our guest on today's episode heard when she was expecting her first child, Faith. Julie Reuschel and her husband Chris walked through the tragedy of losing two children, both due to rare genetic disorders that called them home to Heaven far too early. Julie speaks today about what it was like to walk that painful road and how it led her to create the non-profit, Faith45, to help other mothers and families walking through the loss of a child. Ju...2023-10-1133 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 48: Music for the Soul's Steve Siler Shares Stories Behind the SongsOn this episode of The Music for the Soul Podcast, Founder Steve Siler and Vocalist Becky Nordquist pull back the curtain to share stories behind some of their most impactful songs. Steve talks about what went into the inception and creation of The Broken to Bless Project, including Broken to Bless and Renee is Fourteen among others, and why he feels Broken to Bless is the perfect song to describe the ministry of Music for the Soul. Steve also explains the impacts songs can have on people's lives and why it's so important to write from the heart on these top...2023-10-0438 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 47: Hope and Healing After the Loss of a Child with Taushauna BurrelWalking through the loss of a child is one of the greatest griefs a family can ever face. So how can mothers and families allow themselves to grieve this loss, but also find hope and healing in God's grace? Our guest on today's show is Author and Transformational Leader, Taushauna Burrel. Taushauna shares her story of having three stillbirths sequentially and how she authored a book through her own publishing company to help other moms dealing with child loss. Taushauna explains how music and journaling allowed her not only to strengthen her faith, but find ways to feel the emotions sh...2023-09-2734 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 46: Todd Nigro of Ellie's Way Shares A Beautiful Ministry For The GrievingGrief takes many different forms in our lives. Whether it's an unexpected diagnosis, the death of a loved one, or other personal traumas, walking through grief can feel overwhelming. That is why we are so blessed to have Todd Nigro, President of Ellie's Way, as our guest on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Todd created Ellie's Way after the death of his daughter, Ellie, over 10 years ago as a way to create a community for those walking through grief. Todd shares what helped him through his journey of grief, why it is so important to have a...2023-09-2031 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 45: Finding Hope and Restoration from Thoughts of Suicide with Becky Nordquist On today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, we are talking about a topic that can truly seem insurmountable to those walking through it, suicidal thoughts and feelings. So how can we find hope in those moments of darkness and create healing and restoration? What should we do if we suspect a friend or family member is suicidal? Becky Nordquist shares her personal story of walking through suicidal thoughts after suffering the trauma of sexual abuse. She talks about how she spent time in a mental hospital, those who provided comfort for her when her...2023-09-1342 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 44: Finding Hope and The Way Back to One Another With Professional Counselor Sharon HershSince the pandemic lockdowns, social isolation is at an all time high. Feelings of loneliness and despair are at an all time high as many people feel trapped with very few people they can consider friends. So in times like these, where can we find hope? What is the way back to one another? That is why we are so excited to welcome today's guest, Licensed Professional Counselor and Professor, Sharon Hersh. Sharon shares her story of dealing with trauma at a young age and seeking counseling, which led to her deciding to become a therapist herself to work with p...2023-09-0639 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 43: Breaking Down The Walls of Sexual Assault Trauma with Licensed Counselor Lisa SarugaSexual Assault is often an overwhelming trauma that leads victims to feel hopeless. Many of the offenders dodge prosecution and can leave victims' lives completely shattered in a matter of moments. However, there is always hope. That is why we are so blessed to have licensed professional counselor and EMDR trauma therapist, Lisa Saruga on today's episode. Lisa shares her story of sexual assault in the early 1980s when she was a student at Central Michigan University. She explains how it took her over 35 years to process the trauma and find hope in her suffering. Now Lisa works to help ot...2023-08-3034 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 42: The Story Behind The Creation Of Twenty Three, Our Song and Devotional On The Beloved Psalm On this week's very special episode of The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are delighted to break down the history of one of our favorite songs we've ever worked on, Twenty-Three. Twenty-Three is a glorious, uplifting rendition of perhaps the most beloved of all the Psalms, Psalm 23. We sat down with the Emmy winning vocalist Scott Krippayne, award winning composer Phillip Keveren, and producer Kent Hooper as each of them shares their experience working on the project and the impact it had on their lives. This episode shares the power and inspiration music can deliver when s...2023-08-2333 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 41: A Frank Conversation on the Harms of Pornography with Lisa ThompsonPornography has permiated our society in almost every facet. With technology making it easier than ever to access graphic sexual content, what harm is being inflicted on individuals and families? How does pornography influence sexual exploitation and even sexual trafficking? We are blessed to have Vice President of Research for the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Lisa Thompson, as our guest on today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Lisa shares how she has been working to explain the harm caused by pornography in our society and how companies can often be complacent or even encourage distribution of p...2023-08-1641 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 40: The Importance of Songwriting with Dove Award Winning Songwriter Sue C. SmithSongwriting is an often underappreciated talent in the world of great music. Singers and musicians are celebrated for the emotion they capture in their performances, but songwriters can sometimes appear to be at the bottom of the music world's hierarchy. That is why we are so grateful to have Dove Award Winning Songwriter Sue C. Smith on today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Sue shares with us her journey into songwriting, growing up with a father who led music at his church despite no formal background in music. From there, she began writing songs and getting connected i...2023-08-0945 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 39: Emmy Award Winning Songwriter Scott Krippayne Talks About His Work With Music for the SoulWe are so blessed to welcome Emmy Award winning songwriter Scott Krippayne back for a second episode on the Music for the Soul Podcast. On this week's episode, Scott talks about his work on 36 songs with Music for the Soul, including being lead vocalist on 33 different songs.He shares insights on what it was like working on I Wasn't There, Prayer for You, More Beautiful, Whole in the Sight of God and more. Scott also shares how he captures the emotion of each song despite not always having direct experience with the topic being sung on. Scott then explains God uses...2023-08-0247 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 38: Emmy Award Winning Songwriter Scott Krippayne Shares Stories from His Career in MusicMany musicians live a varied and eventful life, especially if they tour around the country performing their music. So what does the life of a songwriter look like and what tips have they learned as they travel and perform? We are incredibly excited to welcome Emmy Award Winning Songwriter Scott Krippayne to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Scott shares stories from over 30 years of writing and performing music around the world with over 500 songs recorded. He talks about the differences between CCM music and focusing more on solo work, and how both created a significant p...2023-07-2642 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 37: Finding Forgiveness and Healing after an Abortion with Pastor Paula EllefsonWhen it comes to women who have had an abortion, guilt, shame and anger are often chains that hold them to their past. They feel that they have commited the unforgivable sin and that they will have to bear that burden for the rest of their lives. That is why we are so blessed to have Paula Ellefson as our guest on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Paula shares her story of having two abortions as a teenager and carrying that secret into her adult life. She then describes the moment it all fell away, and a...2023-07-1935 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 36: Encouraging Creativity In Our Lives and The Lives of Our Children with Songwriter Gina BoeCreativity is the tool that allows anyone, including artists, songwriters, and musicians, to bring to life stories and ideas from their experience in a way that resonate with others. From music to movies to books to even conversations, creativity allows us to create in a way that people can understand and enjoy. So how do we encourage creativity in our lives and in the lives of our kids? That is why we are so excited to have songwriter Gina Boe on today's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Gina shares her story of songwriting throughout her life and t...2023-07-1237 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 35: Co-Parenting Coach Tammy Daughtry Shares How to Help Your Children Thrive After DivorceDivorce is something that impacts children on a deep emotional and spiritual level. So how can parents work to help their children thrive after a divorce? We are so blessed to have Co-Parenting Coach and Counselor Tammy Daughtry as this week's guest. Tammy shares her stort growing up as a child with two families after her parents divorced and how that impacted her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She then talks about how she helped her daughter find ways to feel emotionally secure and loved after Tammy and her husband divorced. Tammy explains the role that co-parenting plays after a...2023-07-0547 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 34: Christian Counselor and Worship Pastor Clarence Church Talks About the Importance of AuthenticityAuthenticity is an emotion that seems to be missing from so many places today. Churches can often suffer from inauthenticity, creating environments where pastors have to appear as individuals who are almost "above" the sins and struggles that people face. So how can we bring authenticity back into the church? That is why we are delighted to have songwriter, vocalist and worship pastor, Clarence Church as our guest on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Clarence speaks on why authenticity is so important in the church, especially when it comes to attracting people...2023-06-2836 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 33: Storytelling Pictures, CEO, Corey Niemchick on the Healing Power of Visual CommunicationThe art of visual storytelling is one that allows emotions, experiences, and memories to be captured on screen. It can allow individuals who have experienced a traumatic event to put their pain into a perceptible form and find healing in the message it provides. That is why we are so excited to have CEO and Creative Director of Storytelling Pictures, Corey Niemchick, as our guest on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Corey shares how got started with Storytelling Pictures' inception and what drew him in to the world of visual storytelling. He...2023-06-2147 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 32: Recording Artist and Songwriter Mandie Pinto Talks About Body Image, Worship Leading, and Singing The National AnthemHearing a moving song allows for us to feel so much emotion that can be difficult to express otherwise. In the struggles and trials we face in life, music and song have a way of helping us move through those emotions. Hearing someone sing can open the door to us finding restoration and hope. That is why we are so grateful to have recording artist and songwriter, Mandie Pinto, on today's episode of The Music for the Soul Podcast. Mandie shares her experiences of recording and songwriting from leading worship in churches around California to singing the...2023-06-1442 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 31: Renowned Drummer Scott Williamson Shares His Journey of Growth as a PercussionistPercussionists are often an unsung hero when it comes to song composition. Their performance adds flair and impact to parts of a song that help accentuate the theme and pace. That's why we are thrilled to have Percussionist Scott Williamson as our guest on this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Scott talks about growing up surrounded by music, with a father who was an arranger, producer, orchestrator and music minister. He discovered his passion for percussion at an early age, going on to perform for a wide variety of artists in almost every...2023-06-0732 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 30: Christian Music Icon Bob Farrell Shares about the Impact of The Jesus MovementWe 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? We are so blessed to have Christian Music Icon Bob Farrell as today's guest on The Music for the Soul Podcast. Bob 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 cr...2023-05-3143 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 29: Living Forward with Legendary Songwriter John MandevilleWe've spoken many times on this podcast about the positive impact music can have on individuals' lives. Whether they are struggling with trauma, abuse, mental illness or any other form of valley in their life, music is a tool that can help soften the heart, rejuvinate the mind, and perservere through life's hardships. That is why we are so greatful to have legendary singer and songwriter, John Mandeville, to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. John shares the story of what led him to writing music as a child and how he created a...2023-05-2428 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 28: Founder Steve Siler Shares the Genesis of Music for the SoulOn the Music for the Soul Podcast, we talk honestly about a variety of difficulty, life changing topics. So, where did Music for the Soul get its start? What lead to its creation of using music and song as a tool for hope and healing? What are the plans for the future as Music for the Soul navigates an everchanging, tumultuous world? We are so excited about today's conversation with Founder of Music for the Soul, Steve Siler. Steve shares what called him to create Music for the Soul after pursuing a career in music. He talks...2023-05-1740 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 27: Songwriters Bev Herrema and Marcy Each Share About Their Song for Mothers Who Feel Pain on Mother’s DayMother's Day is a day of celebration for moms and grandmothers throughout the world, thanking them for all they did to help raise us into the people we are today. However, Mother's Day can also be a time of hardship and grief for mothers or grandmothers that have experienced loss in their family. Whether it is a the pain of a stillbirth, losing a child throughout their life, or being disconnected from their children after they grow up, there can be a lot of grieving on Mother's Day. That is why we are so blessed to have...2023-05-1036 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 26: Creating a World of Healthy Dance for Children with Dance Educator Mary BawdenDancing is such a beautiful medium to express the serenity and grace of music. There is a connection to our spirit and to our Heavenly Father that compels us to move when we hear a joyous hymn or upbeat melody. However, in today's culture, many young adults and even children are being raised on a form of dancing that is often vulgar and hypersexualize. That is why we are so grateful to have as our guest, dance educator Mary Bawden. Mary discusses how dance is an incredible tool for expressing worship, and why it is so important...2023-05-0329 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 25: Finding Beauty in the Ashes of Life with Songwriter Becky NordquistA mother's pain after losing a child is often unfathomable and difficult to put into words for others to understand. Whether it is experiencing a stillbirth or a death after the child is born, mothers are left feeling like their child was called back to God before they could even say hello. On today's episode, we are so blessed today to sit down and talk with our very own Becky Nordquist. Becky shares her story of walking through the tragedy of multiple pregnancy losses and the stillbirth of her son, Niklas. Through this time of unspeakable difficulty...2023-04-2642 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 24: The Journey of Writing Worship with Songwriter Krissy NordhoffSongwriting for the church is a vital component to creating worship songs that help us feel the love and praise we offer God during our services. So what goes into creating songs that are rooted in God's word and emotionally impactful? We are so blessed to have Dove Award winning professional songwriter, Krissy Nordhoff, as our guest on this episode of The Music for the Soul Podcast. Krissy shares her story of how she fell in love with songwriting from a young age and how that developed into passion for both writing and performing her songs in...2023-04-1938 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 23: The Creative Role of the Session Musician with Guitarist Mark BaldwinInstrumentals are the foundation of creating an emotionally powerful song. Different instruments combining certain chords, tempos and melodies can transport the listener to different locations, with each person experiencing the same song differently. That's why we are so excited to have Professional Studio Musician, Mark Baldwin, on today's episode. Mark shares his story of becoming a guitarist, discovering his passion for music and playing several songs for Music for the Soul. He also explains why he believes intrumental music can be so transformational in peoples' lives and the importance it can have in giving people...2023-04-1235 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 22: Helping Families when a Child is Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease with Chiquita WrightHaving a child be diagnosed with an autoimmune condition is a devistating life event for any parent. It can be hard to know where to turn, what information is the most important to learn about the disease, and above all, how to help your child feel like a regular kid. We are so blessed to have Chiquita Wright on today's episode of The Music For The Soul Podcast. Chiquita shares her story of having her daughter, Chanell Wright, diagnosed with sickle cell disease and how she unfortunately passed at the age of 7. She explains what the symptoms o...2023-04-0530 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 21: How We Can Return The Favor to a Parent with Dementia with Award Winning Songwriter Dwight LilesWhen caring for a parent who is living with a condition like Alzheimer's can be one of the hardest events in a person's life. It is something that takes a toll both on the parent suffering from the disease and the caregiver who wants to ensure they can give their parent the best care possible. So how does someone do this? What is it like to "return the favor" to our parents? We are extremely blessed to have Award Winning Songwriter and Musician, Dwight Liles, on today's episode. Dwight shares his passion from music and how he...2023-03-2940 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 20: How Women Can Build Courage by Trusting in Christ with Kathleen BrooksWe know that we live in a fallen world and that hardships are a part of our lives. Whether its a cancer diagnosis, abusive relationship, the loss of a child, or any other form of significant loss, it can be difficult for us to move past these events. Women, in particular, can face various traumas in their lives that leave them questioning what to do after riding a figurative rollercoaster. So how can women build themselves up in courage? We are so blessed to have as our guest today, Kathleen Brooks. Kathleen is a Master Certified Christian...2023-03-2239 min
Music for the Soul PodcastEpisode 19: Unlocking the Power of Music in Sex Addiction Therapy with Therapist Jim CressSex addiction is incredibly destructive, both on the person suffering the addiction and their spouses or partners. Many men struggle to even quantify that they have a problem when they go to see a therapist. So how do therapists get through to men struggling with sex addiction? What role can music play in this kind of therapy? We are so bless to have Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Sex Addiction Therapist, Jim Cress, on today's episode to talk to us about this. Jim explains the impact music can have in the sessions and lives of sex addicts, a...2023-03-1541 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 18: Hope Starts When There's a Plan with Dr. Gregg JantzWhen it comes to things like anxiety, depression and other forms of mental illness, studies all say the same thing: the numbers are going up. It can be difficult to feel hopeful for the future when each day, new issues pop up in both our personal lives and the world we live in. So how can we begin to find hope in these moments? Where does hope start? We are thrilled to have Dr. Gregory Jantz, best selling author and founder of The Center, A Place of HOPE, as our guest on today's episode. Dr. Jantz talks...2023-03-0825 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 17: Walking through The Chaos of Grief with Licensed Therapist Sue FosterWhen it comes to walking through the chaos of grief, the journey is always a difficult one. This is especially true of suicide grief, when we lose a family member or friend to suicide. That is why we are so blessed to have Licensed Marriage and Family therapist, Sue Foster, on today's episode. Sue shares her own story of suicide grief and what her life looked like as she walked through that grief. She also shares how suicide grief impacted her faith, and how she found support groups and resources that helped her process that grief. 2023-03-0131 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 16: Creating Show Me The Father with Director Rick AltizerFilm and music are two genres that go hand in hand when it comes to creating stories that can transform the lives of others. That's why we are so excited to have on today's episode, a master of both film directing and music producing, Rick Altizer. Rick shares his journey of growing up listening to music, and how music quite literally became "his life". From there, he explains how this lead him to become a song writer and recording artist, which eventually lead to him also becoming a film director. From there, Rick discusses one of...2023-02-2238 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 15: From Broken to Blessed, Healing From Sex Addiction with Counselor Marnie FerreeWhen we hear terms like sex addiction, our minds often will go to a person addicted to one night stands or pornography because they are addicted to the concept of sex. However, sex addiction runs much deeper than just the physical act. So what does recovery look like for a person struggling with that addiction? What about the victims they often abuse and manipulate to fulfill their addiction? We are so grateful for our guest on today's episode is Marnie Ferree, licensed marriage family therapist and executive director of Bethesda Workshops. She shares her own story of...2023-02-1531 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 14: Finding God's Strength in Your Own Weakness with Award Winning Singer David BaroniFeeling weak is something that makes us feel inadequate. We become frustrated with areas of weakness in our lives, whether they be physical, mental or even spiritual. That's why today's guest has such a powerful message on how to find God's Strength in our own weaknesses. We are so excited to have award winning songwriter, singer, musician and producer, David Baroni, for this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. David shares his exposure to singing and songwriting at a young age, the places his career took him, and most importantly, what music has meant to...2023-02-0835 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 13: The Art of Composing and Conducting Music with Phillip KeverenWhat goes into composing a breathtaking song? How do conductors bring music to life as they lead an orchestra through the notes? Composing and conducting music is an art form that can touch countless lives. That is why we are so excited to have as our guest today artist, composer, and conductor, Phillip Keveren. Phillip explains how he finds his vision when he is tasked to write a song and what goes into creating an emotional and memorable composition. He also talks about how his relationship with God plays into the art of music, as the inspiration...2023-02-0130 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 12: Compassionate Caregiving... and Therapy Dogs Too! - with Author Carmen LealWhen tragedy strikes our lives, whether it's loss of life, financial hardship, or divorce, we are left with two options. We can either perpetually wallow in grief and self pity, or allow God to use that event to achieve victory over the enemy. However, in times of grief we often need someone else to offer us help. A compassionate caregiver. Our guest on today's show is Author Carmen Leal. Carmen shares her own stories of tragedy in her life, the current problems of caregiving in the church, and steps we can take to create compassionate caregivers. She...2023-01-2528 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 11: Learning To Restore A Broken Soul With Michael CusickWhen trauma impacts our lives, our soul feels like it is shattered. One wound that cuts particularly deep is with women who have been abused, misused or simply cast aside in a relationship. That is why we are so excited to have Michael Cusick as our guest today, as he explains how to restore a broken soul. Michael shares the story of how he wrote The Apology, a letter of apology to women around the world who had been wounded in relationships with men. He talks about working with Steve to turn The Apology into a song...2023-01-1835 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 10: Discovering God's Grace in the Midst of Depression with Author Heidi AustelDepression is a condition that can affect every aspect of your life. Things that fell into place before become significantly more difficult and even your faith can begin to feel like it isn't functioning. Thankfully, there is hope in finding God's grace and love in those moments of darkness. Our guest on today's episode is Author Heidi Austel. Heidi shares her story of learning to live with her clinical depression, which lasted almost 12 years. She talks about how God showed her how to reconcile her life from her illness by rebuilding her with a faith that worked...2023-01-1129 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 9: Using Music to Heal Men From the Trauma of Sexual Addiction and Abortion with Licensed Counselor Greg HasekMen who have experienced trauma after their partner has an abortion have often struggled to find help, both in terms of the quality of treatment and from their hesitation to seek help through counseling. Our guest on today's show, Licensed Counselor, Greg Hasek, speaks about his personal trauma after his partner got an abortion and what lead him to begin studying and treating men suffering with trauma from abortion and sexual addiction. He also shares why he believes music is such a potent tool for men experiencing trauma. Greg helps us understand what men often go through...2023-01-0430 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 8: Recapturing and Enhancing Your Life through the Power of Music with Mindy PetersonMusic is something that impacts all of us in our daily lives. However, our guest today, music educator Mindy Peterson, explains how music can offer healing to those that are suffering with conditions like dementia and those walking through psychological trauma. Mindy breaks down how music can be a powerful tool for enhancing peoples' lives and what exactly makes music such a potent connector to our memories, emotions and more. She also shares how faith-based music, like the songs written by Music for the Soul, have an especially strong effect for those walking through a variety of hardships in...2022-12-2829 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 7: Music for the Soul Founder Steve Siler Shares the Magic of Making Christmas MusicChristmas songs create such a sense of wonder and delight during the Christmas season. They also help to paint a picture of God's incredible love for us, that He would send us His son to Earth for us. That's why on today's episode of The Music for The Soul Podcast, founder Steve Siler sits down with Becky Nordquist to discuss how he writes Christmas music, including The Lord Sent A Child. Steve explains that he wrote and recorded several Christmas songs in the blistering heat of summer in Los Angeles, how he came up with the lyrics for those...2022-12-2125 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 6: How to Renew Your Mind and Regain Control from Eating Disorders with Dr. Linda MintleEating disorders and body dismorphia are overwhelming for so many today, from children to adults. That's why we are so blessed to have Dr. Linda Mintle on The Music for The Soul Podcast to talk about getting to the heart of eating disorders and what we can do to heal from the. Dr. Linda talks about the issues that often lead to eating disorders from control, to identity, to past traumas and dives to the core of each to explain how we can renew our minds from the toxicity of eating disorders. She walks through how transformational songs and...2022-12-1442 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 5: Exploring The Journeys of Songwriting with Award Winning Songwriter Tony WoodWhat goes into writing a truly impactful song? That's exactly the question we answer on today's episode with our friend, Dove Award Winning songwriter, Tony Wood. Tony breaks down his history of writing over 900 songs in the Contemparary Christian Music Market and which songs have had the greatest impact on him. Tony also shares stories and lessons from his journey, including how the uniqueness of one's voice is so important when it comes to creating a song, as well as the wisdom he's sustained throughout his 30+ years of experience. Tony also explains how music is a connection s...2022-12-0738 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 4: Recording Artist Nita Whitaker Talks About Finding One's Way After The Loss of a Loved OneWe are thrilled to have award winning singer, song-writer, and author, Nita Whitaker on this week's Music for the Soul Podcast, as she speaks about finding her way after the loss of her husband, Don LaFontaine. She speaks about the impact of the song, Drink Deep, and how important it is for each of us to allow our emotions to flow during times of grief and stress. She explains that it is through experiencing grief that we can begin to experience healing. Grief often has many different stages and forms that each person walks through differently. It does not...2022-11-3035 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 3: Angels and Idols, A Journey of Songwriting and Adoption with Regie HammThis week on The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are thrilled to have award-winning singer and songwriter, Regie Hamm, as our guest. Regie talks about his unique introduction to the world of music, the highs and lows of his career, and how ultimately he reconciled his relationship with Christ through his love of writing music, rather than performing it. Regie shares the moment he began questioning "was I ever actually in love with music? Or was it just because I was raised doing this?". From this, he became disheartened and really struggled to find joy in music the w...2022-11-2337 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 2: Overcoming Apathy and Stepping into God's Calling For Your Life with John ChisumThis week on The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are diving into the topic of hardships, apathy and truly understanding that Jesus Christ is with us in ALL things. Our guest on today's episode is founder of Nashville Christian Songwriters, John Chisum. John shares his story of moving to Nashville in 1983 to take a church job that ultimately fell through, leaving him and his newly wed wife with $40 in their pockets and no place to live. From there, he wound up becoming a mentee to the legendary Gary McSpadden which sparked his journey to write songs and perform...2022-11-1630 minMusic for the Soul PodcastEpisode 1: Finding Hope and Healing from Sexual Abuse with Dawn DamonWelcome to the first episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, where we talk honestly about difficult things and share stories about the transformational healing that music can bring to peoples lives. Our guest on this inaugural episode is Author Dawn Damon. Dawn shares her experience of sexual abuse at a young age and talks about how the song Dead Hearts Don't Cry was so meaningful in her journey of recovery. She explains that Dead Hearts Don't Cry meant so much to her because she was so numb from her abuse for so many years that sh...2022-11-0923 min