MICHAEL LEE BROWN: From Broadway to Songwriting
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Guest: Michael Lee Brown Episode Title: MICHAEL LEE BROWN: From Broadway to Songwriting Episode Summary: In this episode of Song Revolution, John welcomes singer, songwriter, and Broadway actor Michael Lee Brown, best known for his four-year run in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway. Michael shares his unexpected journey into the NCS studio, his early beginnings in music, his transition from musical theater to singer-songwriter artistry, and the faith-filled moments that shaped his path. He opens up about the...
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STOWTOWN WORSHIP: Unity, Legacy, and Worship
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: STOWTOWN WORSHIP: Unity, Legacy, and Worship Episode Summary: In this episode, John welcomes an extraordinary lineup of worship leaders and vocal powerhouses—Alvin Slaughter, Steven McWhirter, and TaRanda Greene—along with the vision behind StowTown Worship’s new project, Live from the Iron Manor. What began as a desire to bless worship pastors at the Metro Conference grew into a powerful night of worship, featuring reimagined classics, newly arranged favorites, and cross-generational, cross-genre collaboration. The...
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JOHN CHISUM: The Craft of Christmas Songwriting
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum & Bryant Urich Episode Title: JOHN CHISUM: The Craft of Christmas Songwriting Episode Summary: In this festive episode of Song Revolution, host John Chisum and co-host Bryant Urich dive into the art and craft of writing Christmas songs. From exploring why holiday music resonates so deeply to analyzing the lyrical and musical trends behind the world’s biggest Christmas hits, this conversation is packed with practical ideas, humor, and real-world insights for songwriters. John and Bryant discuss everything from...
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JAMIE JAMGOCHIAN: Learning to Wait Well with God
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: JAMIE JAMGOCHIAN: Learning to Wait Well with God Episode Summary: In this inspiring episode of the Song Revolution Podcast, host John Chisum welcomes singer-songwriter, worship leader, and author Jamie Jamgochian for a rich conversation about creativity, calling, spiritual formation, and her new book Sacred Surrender: The Practice of Waiting Well with God. Jamie shares her personal journey from studying jazz at Berklee, to encountering Jesus at twenty-one, to navigating a decades-long career in...
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MARY LOU KAYSER: The Power of Poetry
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Guest: Mary Lou Kayser Episode Title: The Power of Poetry Episode Summary In this episode of Song Revolution, host John Chisum welcomes poet, author, and creative entrepreneur Mary Lou Kayser for a deeply moving and thought-provoking conversation on art, creativity, and what it means to live—and write—fully in a digital age. Mary Lou shares her journey as a teacher, writer, and poet, exploring how the rapid shift into the digital world impacts human connection and creativity. She opens up about loss, love, and the role...
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ED RODE: We Are All Storytellers
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Episode Title: ED RODE: We Are All Storytellers Guest: Ed Rode, Iconic Nashville Photographer and Author of “Songwriter: Musician Behind the Curtain with Nashville’s Iconic Storytellers and Players” Host: John Chisum Episode Summary In this visually rich and inspiring episode, host John Chisum sits down with celebrated photographer Ed Rode, whose lens has captured some of the most iconic figures in music—from Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, and Willie Nelson to Taylor Swift and Vince Gill. Through his stunning photography and...
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JOHN CHISUM: Developing The Skill of Rewriting
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: The Skill of Rewriting Episode Summary: In this episode of Song Revolution, host John Chisum sits down with NCS Vice President of A&R and Production, Bryant Urich, to dive deep into the art and discipline of rewriting songs. As part of the NCS 2025 Songwriting Challenge, they explore why rewriting is essential to crafting powerful, lasting songs—and how humility, skill, and intentionality play key roles in the process. From Clark Beckham’s new songwriting courses to the band Eauclaire’s...
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Steele Crosswhite & Caleb Yetton: From Rock to Redemption
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: Steele Crosswhite & Caleb Yetton: From Rock to Redemption Episode Summary: In this episode of Song Revolution, John Chisum sits down with Steele Crosswhite and Caleb Yetton from The Rock Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. Once a rock musician sharing stages with artists like the Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, and Maroon 5, Steele encountered the grace of Jesus and traded the spotlight for a life of ministry and songwriting rooted in the local church. Together with Caleb, a fellow pastor and musician, Steele...
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DAWN & STEVE: Faith, Radio, and Soul Care
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: DAWN & STEVE: Faith, Radio, and Soul Care Episode Summary: In this episode of Song Revolution, John Chisum turns the tables and welcomes longtime radio hosts Dawn Ray May and Steve Hiller, formerly of Moody Radio and now co-hosts of the Dawn and Steve Plus podcast. With decades of experience in Christian radio, Dawn and Steve share stories of their broadcasting journeys, memorable interviews with iconic artists, and the lessons they’ve learned about faith, resilience, and community. The...
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CLARK BECKHAM: American Idol Finalist on Songwriting & Surrender
Song Revolution with John Chisum
Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3 Host: John Chisum Episode Title: CLARK BECKHAM: American Idol Finalist on Songwriting & Surrender Episode Summary: In this episode of Song Revolution, John Chisum welcomes singer-songwriter, musician, and American Idol finalist Clark Beckham. Known for his soulful voice and authentic artistry, Clark shares his journey from small-town beginnings to national recognition and beyond. The conversation dives deep into the balance between ambition and surrender, the lessons learned from rejection and waiting, and how faith anchors him...
info_outlineSong Revolution Podcast – Season 3
Host: John Chisum
Guest: Emily Hostetler (Founder of Heaven on Earth Festival)
Episode Title: EMILY HOSTETLER: Heaven On Earth
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Song Revolution, host John Chisum is joined by special guest Emily Hostetler, founder of the Heaven on Earth music festival—a unique and immersive Christian music and wellness event held in stunning locations like Jackson Hole, Wyoming and Moab, Utah.
Emily shares her journey of discovering God's love throughout her life—from a childhood of spiritual curiosity in Boulder, Colorado to shaping a boutique worship experience that bridges the gap between churchgoers and seekers alike. Through storytelling, music, wellness, and natural beauty, Heaven on Earth offers a deeply personal space for rest, connection, and inspiration.
John and Emily also talk about the power of music in spiritual formation, the artists and vision behind the festival, and why gathering in community can be so transformative for both creatives and attendees.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How Emily’s unconventional spiritual journey led to founding Heaven on Earth
- Why the festival focuses on soulful connection over religious programming
- The unique role of nature, music, and storytelling in personal transformation
- How Christian and mainstream artists create a welcoming, restorative experience
- What to expect at this summer’s event in Moab, including glamping, hikes, cold plunges, and stargazing
- Why authenticity and vulnerability are essential for deeper faith conversations
Featured Festival Artists (2024):
- JOHNNYSWIM
- Amanda Cook
- Dave Barnes
- John McLaughlin
- Ashley Hess
- Eauclaire
- Madeline Rose
- The King Will Come
Key Moments:
[02:00] Emily’s spiritual foundation and discovering God's love in everyday moments
[06:30] The slow revelation of faith and growing in understanding over time
[08:45] Music’s emotional impact and favorite worship influences
[14:00] The thinkers, pastors, and voices who shaped Emily’s spiritual formation
[19:45] The origin of Heaven on Earth and its unique vision
[24:00] Creating a festival experience that refreshes the soul without being preachy
[27:00] Keeping the festival small and intimate to foster deep community
[28:00] A look at the daily schedule: morning workouts, live music, storytelling, and stargazing
[31:00] Recording a communal festival song and exploring creativity on-site
Resources & Links:
Learn more and register for the Heaven on Earth festival:
https://www.heavenonearthfestival.com
Get Involved with NCS:
NCS 2025 Songwriting Challenge – Get the free guide & grow your songwriting skills this year!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/challenge2025
Free First Monday Songwriting Training
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/training
NCS Community Membership – 52 weeks of access to the right music industry professionals. Join today!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/community/
NCS Collective:
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/
Connect With Us:
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review and share it with your fellow songwriters!