Music for The Soul Podcast

Welcome to The Music for the Soul Podcast, where we share talk honestly about difficult things, sharing the stories of guests from around the globe about the incredible hope and healing music provides. Inspired by human experience and the compassion of Christ, our episodes aim bring light into the dark places.

Episode 96: Healing the Abortion Wounded Heart with Sheila Harper 05/21/2025

Episode 96: Healing the Abortion Wounded Heart with Sheila Harper We have spoken before on Music for the Soul the amount of physical, emotional, and spiritual trauma abortion can inflict. Today we are so blessed to welcome Founder and President of SaveOne, Sheila Harper, to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Sheila shares her story of having an abortion when she was just 19 years old and how traumatic the decision was for her. Over the course of 7 years, she describes her decent into addiction, isolation, and even attempted suicide. However, she began finding hope through her now husband Jack and soon after began attending classes offered for women who had experienced abortion. Through these classes, she discovered the healing power of community, music, and communion with God. Sheila then decided to found SaveOne in 2000 as a ministry that offers resources and community for those looking to recover and heal from abortion. Sheila shares excellent resources for both women and men who have walked through the decision to have an abortion and also discusses how music can play a key part in unlocking their emotions to allow them to heal. Who is Sheila Harper? Sheila Harper is the Founder and President of SaveOne, an international outreach ministry for men, women, and families suffering in silence after an abortion. She holds a Master’s degree in biblical counseling and is the author of 10 books. SaveOne-A Guide to Emotional Healing after Abortion her first book has been translated and distributed in 20 languages. SaveOne, founded in 2000, currently has more than 300 chapters in 25 countries. Sheila has traveled the world speaking on the topic of abortion recovery as well as training abortion recovery leaders. She has been featured in many magazines and articles about her work in the abortion recovery field and has appeared on The 700 Club, and most recently had the great honor of being named one of “Huck’s Heroes” on The Mike Huckabee Show. Sheila and her husband Jack planted Crossroads Church and pastored there for 11 years before working together at SaveOne. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Sheila's ministry, SaveOne, and purchase her books, find resources, and more at her website: https://www.saveone.org /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/36651660

Episode 95: We're All In This Together: Tell Us Your Stories 04/16/2025

Episode 94: Miscarriage From a Husband's Perspective with Brian Parker 03/19/2025

Episode 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 whole experience of walking through this period of grief, Brian reminds men that it's important for them to seek support during that period of loss and explains different ways they can be there to support their wives in a compassionate way without having the "fix it" mindset. Today's episode is an inspiring conversation about resilience, the true depths of God's love, and the transformative power of music that allows us to walk through even the darkest moments like miscarriage with a message of new life and rebirth. Who is Brian Parker? From fireside acoustic guitar, to dynamic/dramatic rock pop songs, this singer/songwriter is known for catchy, honest, authentic, chill & Spirit led music. Parker draws inspiration from other great singer/songwriters such as Ben Gibbard, Paul Simon, Billy Corgan, Glen Hansard, Nick Drake & John Mayer. This song craft enthusiast explores themes like a modern day Psalmist; topics such as anxiety, identity, authenticity, relationships & faith in God. From lyric to melody, everything Brian pens is intentionally created with the listener in mind. He’s lived & performed in New York, California & now Nashville. Resources: Our listeners can hear Dragonfly and see the music video Come Away featuring his daughter on his YouTube page: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/35773175

Episode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home Ministry 02/19/2025

Episode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home Ministry God hides a teasure inside every affliction. These powerful words come from a guest we are honored to have on this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Susan Piper joins us to share her story of how, guitar in hand, she walked into the Cleveland bars at 15 years old in pursuit of stardom. A couple of decades later, Jesus decided that was long enough and pulled her out again with His mighty outstretched arm. Listen in as Susan tells warm-hearted and self-deprecating stories of the people who brought her to Christ, how she overcame trauma and PTSD instilled in her during childhood, and how she found true joy and transformation in helping those living in nursing homes. Join her at the bedside of those who have been forgotten and hear how God uses the lonely, broken people she serves to bless her and heal her own brokenness. Who is Susan Piper? Susan Piper is a Christian singer, song and story writer who spends her days in nursing homes, wielding a guitar with her right hand and pushing her Havanese pup in a stroller with her left, continually being ministered to by the ones she seeks to serve: I visit them but they open their hearts to me. I ask them about their lives and they tell me their stories; sometimes it’s the same story again, but it is so important it bears retelling. I knock and they are glad to see me. I offer myself as a stranger and they welcome me in without question. If the hymn is worthy of tears they cry; it was their mother’s favorite, it was played at their daughter’s funeral. They don’t or can’t hide their feelings, they are who they are. They follow me down the hall; they say they were sad before I came and please come again because I’ve made their day. They have done more than that for me. They’ve changed my life. Excerpt from "He Leadeth Me," By Susan Piper Resources: Our listeners can purchase Susan's Book, A Blessing Is In It, at the link here: You can also learn more about Susan on her website: 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: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/35344445

Episode 92: Counselor and Author Lisa Saruga Shares The Trauma Tree 01/22/2025

Episode 91: Living Legends - with Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, & Bob Farrell 12/18/2024

Episode 90: Tips for Overcoming Sadness at the Holidays with Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Sue Foster 12/04/2024

Episode 89: Imagining God's Best for Your Life with Vocalist Ally Jackson 11/20/2024

Episode 88: Exploring the Freedom and Calm of Performing Music with Jennifer Roig-Francoli 11/06/2024

Episode 88: Exploring the Freedom and Calm of Performing Music with Jennifer Roig-Francoli Stress can play a large role in musicians lives. From expectations of how they will perform during events to personal anxiety about venues or songs, how can we find calm and peace when creating and performing music. Well we are so blessed to welcome Jeniffer Roig-Francoli to this week's episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast. Jennifer is an award-winning violinist who has performed on some of the biggest stages throughout the world. She shares with us the unique technique she learned that helped teach her to play the violin, and how it can be transformational for young kids that are learning to love playing music. Jennifer also talks about the freedom that playing music can offer to children, teens, and adults in a world where we are always connected to screens. Finally, Jennifer talks about what inspired her to begin holistic teaching of anxiety reduction for musicians that struggle with fear, worry, and regret. She was so passionate about this project, she has written a new book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, which you can find the link for down below. If you are someone who is struggling with centering yourself in the moment and overcoming anxiety, we would highly encourage you to listen to this episode. Who is Jennifer Roig-Francoli? Jennifer Roig-Francolí is an award-winning musician and double-certified Alexander Technique teacher. As the creator of The Art of Freedom® Method for conscious living and masterful artistry, Jennifer combines her extensive professional experience with a lifelong love of meditation and perennial wisdom. Her unique pedagogical approach, offered online since 2012 and exclusively touch-free since 2018, has empowered countless musicians with reliable tools to break through obstacles to personal and professional fulfillment and success. Jennifer’s career as a modern and baroque violinist has taken her to concert halls around the world, including solo performances at Carnegie Hall and collaborations with esteemed orchestras like the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Berlin Symphony Orchestra. She was honored as a “Rising Star” by TIME magazine and has held the positions of Concertmaster and Associate Concertmaster in various ensembles, including the Grammy Award-winning ensemble Apollo’s Fire. She can be heard on recordings with Apollo’s Fire and as a soloist on most digital streaming platforms. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Jennifer and get in contact with her on her website at the link here: You can also check out her book, Make Great Music with Ease!: The Secret to Smarter Practice, Confident Performance, and Living a Happier Life, at the Amazon link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/33813012

Episode 83: Steve Siler Shares the Story Behind the Song and Music Video Whole in the Sight of God 11/03/2024

Episode 87: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 2 10/23/2024

Episode 87: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 2 Welcome back to the second part of our two part discussion on Music for the Soul's newest project, What Hope Says. This week, Steve Siler, Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood discuss the second half of the album including the songs Tell Yourself the Truth, Taking Care of Me, Hope Says There's a Way, Merciful Jesus, Anyway, and Imagine God's Best. Steve shares that each of these songs serve to provide insight, hope and restoration for those walking through bouts of anxiety and how each of them came about. Tony and Scott explain which songs were their favorites to work on in this album, as well as why they believe What Hope Says is one of the most impactful projects they have ever worked on. We highly encourage you to check out the full project through the link below on our website, but as always these songs are also available on all music streaming platforms. We hope this project can provide your or someone you know with anxiety the respite and healing they deserve! Who is Scott Krippayne? Scott Krippayne is an Emmy Award winning songwriter & producer based in the Seattle area. With 16 #1's, 23 other Top 10 singles, and over 500 songs recorded, Scott has enjoyed a productive career with success in multiple genres. His songs have appeared on releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Smash Mouth, Kool & The Gang, Kutless, and Joy Williams (of The Civil Wars) among others. In addition to having various songs used in films, Scott also penned the theme song for the Nick Jr. hit series Paw Patrol and has song placements on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, MTV, VH1, Disney, and more. Who is Tony Wood? Tony Wood is a Dove Award nominee for “Songwriter of the Year” and is a five time Dove Award winner. He is the writer of 30 #1 songs at Christian radio. He began writing songs in high school for friends to sing at various churches in the community. He continued writing for the local church while a student at Averett College. After graduation, Tony and his wife Terri moved to Nashville in order to pursue songwriting professionally. In 1991, he signed his first publishing deal with Michael Puryear at Lorenz Creative Services/BMG Music Publishing. He has since written for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Essential Music Publishing. To date, over 800 of Tony’s songs have been recorded and released in the Contemporary Christian Music Market. Some of the artists who have given life to his lyrics include: Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Crabb, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many more. Resources: Our listeners can check out the full project of "What Hope Says" on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/ /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/33584362

Episode 86: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 1 10/16/2024

Episode 86: The Making of 'What Hope Says' with Scott Krippayne, Steve Siler, and Tony Wood Part 1 We are very excited to bring you this episode today with guests Scott Krippayne, Tony Wood, and our own Steve Siler as they discuss the creation and release of Music for the Soul's latest project, What Hope Says. The team talks about how What Hope Says was conceptualized, and that after years of discussion with therapists, the number one issue most people encounter or experience in their day to day lives is anxiety. Steve goes on to explain we live in a world of constant stressors and stimulation that often times has us feeling overwhelmed and anxious, but also creates a pendulum effect where we also begin to feel anxious when there is nothing going on in our lives. Scott Krippayne and Tony Wood share how they worked on different songs for the project including Prayers for the Anxious, No Wonder (We're Losing Our Minds), You Are Not What Happened To You, Overwhelmed, and more. They also explain how they applied their own experiences of anxiety to each of these pieces and why this project is coming out at such a crucial moment for all of us. In times where every direction we look seems to be filled with anxiety producing stories or tasks, we hope that you will take the time to check out this project and see What Hope Says. This is the first part of a two part series, so we highly encourage you to come back to listen to part two as well! Who is Scott Krippayne? Scott Krippayne is an Emmy Award winning songwriter & producer based in the Seattle area. With 16 #1's, 23 other Top 10 singles, and over 500 songs recorded, Scott has enjoyed a productive career with success in multiple genres. His songs have appeared on releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha, Jordin Sparks, Smash Mouth, Kool & The Gang, Kutless, and Joy Williams (of The Civil Wars) among others. In addition to having various songs used in films, Scott also penned the theme song for the Nick Jr. hit series Paw Patrol and has song placements on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, MTV, VH1, Disney, and more. Who is Tony Wood? Tony Wood is a Dove Award nominee for “Songwriter of the Year” and is a five time Dove Award winner. He is the writer of 30 #1 songs at Christian radio. He began writing songs in high school for friends to sing at various churches in the community. He continued writing for the local church while a student at Averett College. After graduation, Tony and his wife Terri moved to Nashville in order to pursue songwriting professionally. In 1991, he signed his first publishing deal with Michael Puryear at Lorenz Creative Services/BMG Music Publishing. He has since written for Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing and Essential Music Publishing. To date, over 800 of Tony’s songs have been recorded and released in the Contemporary Christian Music Market. Some of the artists who have given life to his lyrics include: Michael W. Smith, Francesca Battistelli, Matt Redman, Zach Williams, Mandisa, We Are Messengers, Big Daddy Weave, Jason Crabb, Sandi Patty, Gaither Vocal Band, Reba McEntire, Ricky Skaggs and many more. Resources: Our listeners can check out the full project of "What Hope Says" on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/what-hope-says/ /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/33477642

Episode 85: Choral Director Chris Smith's Journey of Harmonizing Faith in Ministry and Music 10/02/2024

Episode 84: Legendary Gospel Singer Larnelle Harris Shares How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced His Career in Music 09/18/2024

Episode 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. Larnelle felt immense spiritual growth from that time and shares how he used that to grow a career spanning five decades, 18 albums, 5 Grammys, and countless other accolades. He shares invaluable lessons learned from both his faith and his time as a singer, emphasizing how God uniquely uses each person for His glory and the importance of remaining humble in the music industry. Finally we talk about portions of his book, Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career, which our listeners can learn more about down below. We highly recommend today's episode as Larnelle is an excellent speaker, story teller, and a dear friend of Music for the Soul! Who is Larnelle Harris? Admired by fans and peers alike for his majestic tenor voice, Larnelle Harris has become the personification of talent and integrity in a career that spans over five decades. He is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. He was twice inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, both as a solo artist and as part of the Gaither Vocal Band. He has achieved nineteen #1 radio singles and a plethora of top 10 hits. Harris was the first Christian artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. He recently performed for the National Day of Prayer event in Washington D.C., at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, and sang for a gathering of U.N. Ambassadors in our nation’s capitol. Harris and his wife of 45 years, Cynthia (a.k.a. Mitzy), reside in Louisville, Kentucky. Resources: Our listeners can check out Larnelle's Book, Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career, at the link here: You can checkout every song that Larnelle has worked on at Music for the Soul at the link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/33102827

Episode 82: Marketing Professional Kelsey Vredeveld Talks The Ins and Outs of Digital Marketing and Social Media 08/21/2024

Episode 81: Violinist David Davidson Shares His Journey from the Classics to the Nashville Recording Studio 08/07/2024

Episode 81: Violinist David Davidson Shares His Journey from the Classics to the Nashville Recording Studio Finding 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 University. He would then go on to record and play dozens of pieces, while also developing a love for combining notes of classical violin with country, pop, and rock. David shares with our listeners why he has such a passion for classical music, how it can help those looking to begin playing themselves, and why having excellent technique can really unlock the emotion of a song. David also is planning on starting a non-profit initiative with his wife that will offer day trips to a farm for children dealing with autism and other developmental disorders. We highly encourage you to listen to the end to hear more on that! Who is David Davidson? Nashville-based session violinist David Davidson was born into a musical family and raised in Winter Haven, FL. He took up the piano at age five and began studying violin at nine. He received a violin scholarship to attend Florida State University in Tallahassee, and turned professional at 19, initially working as a classical musician. He was concertmaster with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra for four years. In 1983, he began playing non-classical recording sessions in Nashville, eventually appearing on albums by a wide variety of major country, pop, rock, and Contemporary Christian Music artists. He was a member of the A Strings, which recorded Home for Christmas on Warner Bros. Records and in 1992 organized David Davidson & the Praise Ensemble to record the instrumental Christian album Praise Ensemble. That was followed by Psalms of Everlasting Hope. Signing to the Green Hill label in the mid-'90s, he issued a series of instrumental albums, including Silver Screen Classics, Prelude to Joy, Phantom of Broadway, Heartstrings (a duet album with pianist Russell Davis), and, in 2000, Celtic Fantasy. Resources: Our listeners can learn about David's works, contact him, and more at his website: You can also listen to David's favorite song he worked on for Music for the Soul, I Miss You, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/i-miss-you/ /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/32471022

Episode 80: Left Brain/Right Brain and Healing Trauma with Licensed Therapist Vicky Didato 07/24/2024

Episode 80: Left Brain/Right Brain and Healing Trauma with Licensed Therapist Vicky Didato Sexual 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 despite it not being her initial career choice and what drove her to become a counselor for those suffering from sexual abuse. She explains where things like trauma are stored in the brain, why it's important to learn about how our left and right brain work, and how music and other areas of the five senses can unlock that trauma to begin the process of comprehension and healing. Vicky also talks about why talk therapy alone doesn't always create the healing trauma survivors are looking for. She still highly recommends traditional talk therapy for clients struggling with their mental health and trauma, she breaks down how she has spent more than 30 years going beyond traditional talk therapy and why it has been so impactful to her client. Who is Vicky Didato? As Founder and Director of the Child Sexual Abuse Institute of Ohio (CSAIO), has spent more than 30 years helping children and families throughout the state. Based out of Wooster, Victoria Kepler Didato and CSAIO provide consultation, training, and education for social workers and counseling professionals across America and have served over 30,000 individuals since 1982. Through CSAIO, Victoria Kepler Didato shares her experience and wisdom with professionals of all types, and has fulfilled contracts with sheriff’s departments and children’s services boards in Indiana, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In her private practice as a counselor, Victoria Kepler Didato assists victims of sexual assault, trauma, and mental health disorders through individual and group therapy. Resources: Our listeners can reach out to Vicky at her email, . You can also find some of the blog posts and songs from Music for the Soul we discussed today at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/news_topics/sexual-abuse/ /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/32178302

Episode 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 07/10/2024

Episode 78: Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable withFinding Comfort in the Uncomfortable with Singer Extraordinaire Denise Carite 06/26/2024

Episode 78: Finding Comfort in the Uncomfortable withFinding Comfort in the Uncomfortable with Singer Extraordinaire Denise Carite We 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 over 5 years before feeling called by the Lord to pursue other projects and focus on refining her relationship with God. Denise talks about what it was like leaving a dream job of hers to work on other projects, and how she has learned to rest and find solace in the Holy Spirit, even in the midst of uncertainty and discomfort. Denise also shares her advice for those pursuing singing as a career and why training your voice is an emotional undertaking as much as it is a physical one. Who is Denise Carite? For over a decade, PA native Denise Carite has been in the music industry. With broadway and traditional music sparking the flame in her youth, she then pursued versatility within her craft. Her discipline brought her to her first US tour with John Legend at the early age of 18 years old. She then went on to study music business at Berklee College of Music with a Presidential Scholarship. She has recorded with Stevie Wonder, Katy Perry, 30 Seconds to Mars, Adam Lambert, Moby, Coldplay, and has sung on the films Jordan Peele’s Us, The Lion King, Just Mercy, Hidden Figures, the Boss Baby, Monster High: The Great Scarrier Reef, and is the singing voice of R&B on Trollstopia. She has two song placements as a co-writer with Coldplay on “Higher Power” and Daya’s “Sit Still, Look Pretty” debut album. While these life-changing opportunities have fueled her artistic fire, they have simultaneously kept Denise humbled and inspired. Her main goal is to not only apply what she has learned to her own artistic and creative presence, but also share it and help others reach their highest potential. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Denise by visiting her website: You can also email Denise at [email protected] /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/31889062

Episode 77: Finding The Beautiful In The Ashes and Pain of Caregiving with Award Winning Author Shelly Beach 06/12/2024

Episode 77: Finding The Beautiful In The Ashes and Pain of Caregiving with Award Winning Author Shelly Beach We'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 took care of her father-in-law and then her own parents. She breaks down what caregivers need to do not only to provide optimal care to their loved one, but also how they can ensure they stay energetic, calm, and fulfilled by the promise of the Lord. Shelly also provides tips for what caregivers can do to find their "me time" and why they should ensure they focus on themselves in the midst of taking care of someone else. Finally, Shelly talks about why it is so important to start conversations with loved ones early to prevent the obligation of caregiving from straining relationships both emotionally and financially. Who is Shelly Beach? Shelly Beach has invested her life in the field of communication as an educator, administrator, writer, and writing consultant for the past thirty years. Shelly is the author of eight books and co-author of numerous others with a Pulitzer Prize finalist, New York Times best-selling author, presidential advisor, and other national leaders. She is also a caregiving expert for Caring.com, writing to an audience of over 2 million. Shelly presents seminars on her book The Silent Seduction of Self-Talk in seminars, conferences, and in prisons across the nation as a speaker with Daughters of Destiny prison ministry. Shelly is a graduate of Oakland University and Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. She and her husband Dan reside in Rockford, Michigan, where they attend Blythefield Hills Church. They have two adult children who reside in Iowa and Washington State. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Shelly by visiting her website: You can also find Shelly on Facebook at the link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/31710117

Episode 76: “What Does God Say about Abuse?” with Dale and Faith Ingraham 05/29/2024

Episode 76: “What Does God Say about Abuse?” with Dale and Faith Ingraham We'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 abuse, how she moved forward from the traumatic incident, and what she is doing now to help other victims find healing and hope. Dale has been preaching to churches since starting his ministry back in 1983. He shares Biblical advice and verse from scripture that answer the question "What does God say about abuse, and why doesn't He stop it?" Dale also shares his recommendations to churches around the world and how churches in America are currently failing to help abuse victims find healing. Who are Dale and Faith Ingraham? Dale Ingraham graduated from Practical Bible Training School in Johnson City, NY in 1983. He has been a pastor of several churches since beginning his ministry in 1983. In 2020, he resigned from Curtis Baptist Bible Church in Campbell, NY, where he served as their pastor for 20 years, to devote himself fully to the ministry of Speaking Truth in Love. He is the author of “Tear Down This Wall of Silence”. He also serves on the board of MK Safety Net US. He is a speaker, trainer, author and strong advocate for victims and survivors of abuse. Faith Ingraham is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. She has been serving with her husband in pastoral ministry since 1984. She is an author, speaker, life coach and strong advocate against domestic violence and abuse. Dale and Faith have been married since 1984. She home schooled all five of their children and enjoys spending time with their grown children and grandchildren. Resources: Our listeners can learn more about Dale and Faith's ministries, Speaking Truth in Love, and listen to their podcast as well at the link here: You can also get in touch with Dale through his email, and their cellphone number is 607-542-0316 /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/31509587

Episode 75: Legendary Musician Jason Webb Talk About The Importance of Practice, Perseverance and Personal Faith 05/15/2024

Episode 75: Legendary Musician Jason Webb Talk About The Importance of Practice, Perseverance and Personal Faith Getting 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 speaks about why he is so passionate about music, what his goal is in creating songs and melodies, and how he has developed a love for practice as much as the final product. When it comes to a career that spans as long as his, Jason explains that perseverance and practice are what lead to the results God has in store for all of our gifts and talents. Who is Jason Webb? Widely known for his signature keyboard style and consummate musical versatility, Jason Webb is a recording musician, producer, arranger and composer in Nashville, Tennessee. A native of Dayton, Ohio, Jason began his musical studies at age 5. His early musical experiences revolved around playing in church and studying classical piano, and within a few short years he developed a keen ear and prodigious technique. Jason has played on scores of recordings, providing music for singers, songwriters, record labels, publishers, television, movies and video games. In addition to his busy recording session schedule, Jason is an in-demand composer, arranger and producer, and his compositions and arrangements continue to be performed and recorded by artists and ensembles all over the world. Jason lives in Hendersonville, Tennessee with his wife and two sons. Resources: Learn more about Jason's works, including his collaborations for Music for the Soul, on his website: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/31301837

Episode 74: Songwriter Belinda Smith Talks Songs, Co-Writing, and Creativity 05/01/2024

Episode 73: Honoring the Life of James Eric Myers and His Mission to Serve Veterans with PTSD 04/17/2024

Episode 73: Honoring the Life of James Eric Myers and His Mission to Serve Veterans with PTSD On 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 Soul, including Songs from the Garage, which is a collection of songs that is an honest reflections about painful seasons in his life and the gift of love. Eric was an incredible husband, father and friend and he will be missed greatly. Who was James Eric Myers? James Eric Myers, known as Eric, proudly served his country in the United States Army as a member of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. He loved writing and recording music, mostly Christian songs and songs for veterans, especially those suffering with PTSD. He worked on several projects for Music for the Soul, including Anonymous Man and I've Never Known. His other loves were his family, riding Harley Davidson motorcycles and helping anyone in need. He was a kind and loving soul that will be missed by everyone that knew him. Resources: If you are a veteran or know a veteran who is struggling with PTSD or any other crisis, we encourage you to reach out to the Veteran Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255 There is also a website for veterans called Stop Soldier Suicide, which you can access at the link here: You can get access to a five song album with devotional written by Eric at the link here: Our listeners can get access to projects Eric worked on, like Songs from the Garage, at the link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/30860353

Episode 72: Restoring Life and Igniting Hope After the Loss of a Child with Daphne Greer 04/03/2024

Episode 72: Restoring Life and Igniting Hope After the Loss of a Child with Daphne Greer Losing 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 importance of faith in God, finding community, and how music can allow us to walk through the unique emotions of grief after losing a child. If you or someone you know has lost a child, we highly encourage you to listen to Daphne's story. There is hope and you are not alone. Who is Daphne Greer? Daphne Bach Greer was raised in a small ranching town in eastern Oregon,and graduated from Western Oregon University in law enforcement. She went on to a lengthy career as an adult parole officer. Following a devastating car accident in 2008, which resulted in the tragic death of her five year old daughter, Daphne found a new purpose and passion in life. In 2011, she co-founded a non-profit in memory of her daughter, Lydia’s Love, which provides birthday celebrations to children in need. She blogs at https://grievinggumdrops.com/, and writes about finding hope amidst grief and loss. She is the author of Barely Breathing: 10 Secrets to Surviving the Loss of a Child, and co-author of Grief Diaries-Will We Survive book-a collection of stories from parents on marriage after the death of a child. Daphne is a speaker, grief coach, and advocate for others. Resources: Our listeners can check learn more about Daphne's coaching, find her books and more on her website: We also encourage you to check out her non-profit, Lydia's Love, at the link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/30656968

Episode 71: How Hymns can Help in our Suffering with Joni Eareckson Tada 03/20/2024

Episode 70: Discovering God's Guiding Hand in Singing and Songwriting with Sam and Becca Mizell 03/06/2024

Episode 69: Singer Michael O'Brien Talks about Overcoming Pornography and Restoring His Marriage 02/28/2024

Episode 69: Singer Michael O'Brien Talks about Overcoming Pornography and Restoring His Marriage Pornography 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 overcoming his addictions to other vices like alcohol, he slowly began to develop a new addiction. Michael explains what caused his addiction to finally spill over from being a secret only he knew, to something his wife discovered. From there he discusses how he overcame that addiction, but most importantly, how God used this as a way to not only bring sanctity back into his marriage, but make his relationship with the Lord stronger than ever as well. Who is Michael O'Brien? Michael David O'Brien is an American Christian musician and worship leader, who primarily plays Christian pop and contemporary worship music. He released eight solo albums since 1990. He was a touring member of the Heritage Singers, before becoming a full-fledged member of NewSong, in 1999. He started his music recording career in 1990, with the album, Someone Needs to Tell Them, which was an Indie project. His subsequent album, Michael O'Brien, was released in 1995, with Benson Records. The third album, Conviction, was released in 1996, again by Benson Records. He released, Godspeed, in 1998, also with Benson Records. His fifth studio album, Something About Us, was released in 2007, with Miracle Productions. He released his 6th album "Be Still My Soul" in 2010. And then his first holiday album, Christ'mas, in 2013, by Miracle Productions. His eighth album, Psalms, Hymns and Spiritual Songs, was released in 2015, with Miracle productions. And he just released his latest project "Crown Him" in 2020. Resources: You can learn more about Michael's work, view his live videos, and see upcoming events on his website: To book Michael, our listeners can reach him at his email: [email protected] /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/30147508

Episode 68: Recording Artist Lisa Bevill Shares About Her Career, Her Girls Camp, and Her Battle with Lyme disease 02/21/2024

Episode 68: Recording Artist Lisa Bevill Shares About Her Career, Her Girls Camp, and Her Battle with Lyme disease When 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 lead her to start her own girl's camp to help young girls who were struggling with various physical, mental and spiritual challenges. From there, she goes on to discuss her 15 year battle with Lyme disease, and how the Lord took moments of great suffering and used them as a transformational experience that has helped her go on to assist countless people who are also suffering from the condition. Who is Lisa Bevill? Lisa Bevill is an American Contemporary Christian musician best known for Christian radio hits such as Number Condemnation, Only a Saviour and Hold On. Lisa has performed with and sung on albums for a wide range of artists, including Amy Grant, Garth Brooks, Faith Hill, Linda Ronstadt, John Tesh, Reba McEntire, James Ingram, Michael West. Smith, Carman, Donna Summer, Petra, the late Rich Mullins, Kim Hill, Kathy Troccoli, Cindy Morgan, Twila Paris, Newsong, Margaret Becker and many others, before she went on her own. In addition, she has recorded jingles for many different companies, including McDonalds, Wrigley"s Doublemint, Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler/Dodge, Domino"s Pizza, Frito Lay, Arby"s, Radio Shack, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Stanley Steamer and many others Resources: Listen to all of Lisa's work on Music for the Soul's projects including Binder of the Broken at the link here: You can also check out Lisa's Facebook page at the link here: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/30047133

Episode 67: Author Jolene Philo Joins Us To Talk About Caregiving and Loving Children With Disabilities 02/14/2024

Episode 67: Author Jolene Philo Joins Us To Talk About Caregiving and Loving Children With Disabilities Caregiving 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 shares what it was like caring for her father, who was diagnosed with MS, at an early age and how that quickly became her family's "normal". Jolene then speaks about raising her son who was born with a life-threatening birth defect and had to have multiple surgeries throughout his life. Jolene then took her experiences and wrote several books including Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The Five Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She says the reason she felt called to write these books was so devastated parents could begin to place their hope in God’s dream for their children. Who is Jolene Philo? Jolene Philo grew up in a caregiving family and raised a son with medical special needs. As a teacher, she created an inclusive classroom for children with disabilities for 25 years. She's authored several books, including Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs and Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The Five Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities. She hosts the award winning blog, www.DifferentDream.com. Jolene and her husband live in a multigenerational family in Iowa with her daughter, son-in-law and their two young children. Resources: Our listeners can access free caregiving resources, check out her books, and schedule coaching sessions on her website: You can also check out for Jolene's blog and fictional works by visiting her other website: /episode/index/show/8594cd1c-c867-45ab-826d-d627329bcfad/id/29949363

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