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
Hosts: Claire Bacon, Bryant Urich, Chris Crenshaw, Kyle Kicker, and Jack Landis
Episode Title: STAFF EDITION: NCS Staff Takeover
Episode Summary:
In this special episode of Song Revolution, the microphones are turned toward the Nashville Christian Songwriters staffas the team celebrates NCS’s upcoming 10-year anniversary. With John Chisum away on vacation, Claire, Bryant, Chris, Kyle, and Jack take over to share their stories, talk about their paths to NCS, and give listeners a glimpse of the unique personalities that make up the heart of the organization.
From music industry journeys and Springfield connections, to rapid-fire fun questions like “Is cereal a soup?”—this episode is equal parts insightful and entertaining. Along the way, the team reflects on their own defining moments in music, the role of community, and why they love serving songwriters through NCS.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- How each NCS team member found their way into music and ministry
- The “Springfield theory” and why so many of the team come from a Springfield
- Defining moments that sparked a love for music and creativity
- How NCS serves songwriters through publishing, coaching, community, and production
- The highs and lows of today’s music industry and what the future may hold
- Lighthearted team banter, rapid-fire questions, and behind-the-scenes laughs
Key Topics & Highlights:
- Jack’s journey from interning at NCS to joining the team full-time
- Chris’s background as a youth pastor, event organizer, and touring drummer
- Claire’s path from Bethel Music and label work to NCS publishing and project management
- Kyle’s experiences as a worship pastor and band member before moving to Nashville
- Bryant’s early Nashville days, publishing insights, and role in building the NCS community
- The Springfield, Ohio/Missouri connection and its surprising role in the team’s stories
- Honest reflections on the realities of today’s streaming-driven music business
- Fun debates: doors vs. wheels, cereal as soup, and musician pet peeves
Final Takeaway:
Behind every great song is a community of people who believe in its potential. The NCS team exists to serve, support, and encourage songwriters from all walks of life, proving that creativity thrives best in connection.
Resources & Links:
Learn more about Nashville Christian Songwriters: nashvillechristiansongwriters.com
Join the NCS Community for coaching, resources, and connection
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
Join the NCS 2025 Songwriting Challenge – Download the free 31-page guide
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/challenge2025
Sign up for Free First Monday Songwriting Training
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/training
NCS Collective: Check out our artists!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/