Episode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home Ministry
Release Date: 02/19/2025
Episode 104: Speaking and Ministering to Others in Times of Need with Rev. Russell Mauldin
Music for The Soul Podcast
In this episode of Music for the Soul, Becky and Steve welcome Reverend Dr. Russell Mauldin — a songwriter, pastor, counselor, and longtime creative whose life bridges music, ministry, and deep pastoral care. Russell shares his journey from decades in Nashville songwriting and producing to stepping into a new calling as a shepherd for creatives, counselors, and the weary. Through stories of silence, obedience, and learning to make space for God’s still voice, this episode explores how creativity, vulnerability, and encouragement intersect. Russell reflects on what it means to listen deeply...
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Episode 103: Celebrating Christmas through Song with Dove Award Winning Songwriter Tony Wood
Music for The Soul Podcast
In this episode of Music for the Soul, we welcome back Dove Award winning songwriterTony Wood to discuss his latest book, Manger Throne, a Christmas devotional shaped by 28 original songs written over the span of his career. Tony shares how music, prayer, and storytelling can open the door to hope—especially during a season that often holds both celebration and sorrow side by side. Tony's conversation touches on everything from writing joy-filled songs to wrestling with themes of suffering, incarnation, and redemption. Through reflections on collaboration, creative vulnerability, and the...
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Episode 102: Fundraising for Christian Non-Profits with Vic Pooler
Music for The Soul Podcast
On this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, Becky and Steve welcome nonprofit fundraising expert Vic Pooler to discuss the heart and practice of giving. As we enter the holiday season, Vic, Becky and Steve explore why generosity is so essential—both for the healing work of ministries and for the donors who want their resources to make a meaningful impact. Vic shares wisdom from over 35 years of nonprofit leadership, unpacking the role of relationship-building, storytelling, and listening in effective fundraising. He reminds us that giving is deeply personal, often rooted in...
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Episode 101: Julie Reuschel Explores Healing and Hope After the Loss of a Child
Music for The Soul Podcast
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,...
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Episode 100: Dr. Ron Nydam Unpacks the Complicated Emotions Involved with Adoption
Music for The Soul Podcast
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...
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Episode 99: The Candle & Compass Project with Phillip Keveren And Steve Siler
Music for The Soul Podcast
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...
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Episode 98: The Challenges of Being a Single Parent with Singer/Songwriter Andra Moran
Music for The Soul Podcast
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...
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Episode 97: Finding Healing through Adopting a Dog with Author Carmen Leal
Music for The Soul Podcast
“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...
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Episode 96: Healing the Abortion Wounded Heart with Sheila Harper
Music for The Soul Podcast
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...
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Episode 95: We're All In This Together: Tell Us Your Stories
Music for The Soul Podcast
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...
info_outlineI 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