Directing 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 different Gospel songs and projects, including quite a few at Music for the Soul, and we are delighted for him to share what this has meant for him and the impact it has had on countless lives!     Who is Chris Smith? Christopher Smith is an amazing arranger, musician, choir director and contractor who has worked in the musical industry since becoming an organ player for his church when he was 17 years old. We are honored to have had Chris provide his talents on the following Music for the Soul Projects: After the Storm, Binder of the Broken, City of Hope, Where is the Ground, Child of God, Days of Hope, Dignity, Precious Lord Take My Hand, Hope Says There's A Way, More Than A Survivor, and Save a Child. Resources: Our listeners can hear one of the songs Chris Smith worked on, Precious Lord Take My Hand, and learn more about all of the projects Chris played a part in on our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/precious-lord-take-my-hand/

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: https://www.amazon.com/Shaped-Notes-Ordinary-Extraordinary-Influenced-ebook/dp/B074JP7SK8?ref_=ast_author_dp You can checkout every song that Larnelle has worked on at Music for the Soul at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/product_musicians/larnelle-harris/

This 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 partial or complete paralysis and in some cases cause the child to lose their life.    Steve shares that the first thing he and his wife did was name their son Henry and began to pray diligently on what they should do for their son. After choosing to bring Henry into the world, Steve remembers hearing that God was not sending him a son with a broken body, but a complete and perfect soul from Heaven. From there, he began to write a song about his son, which he titled Whole in the Eyes of God. It was a song that not only described his son, but all children that have ever been brought into this world.   Steve breaks down what it took to write a song like that, what it was like raising a child with spina bifida, and why Whole in the Eyes of God is so close to his heart. We have links to listen to the song on our website as well as to our new music video created to accompany the song. We highly encourage all of you to take a moment to check them out below. Resources: To read more on the story of Whole in the Sight of God as well as listen to it, please visit our website at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/news/whole-in-the-sight-of-god/ You can also watch our new music video on YouTube at the link here or on our website as well: https://youtu.be/QUFNYsEYjFg

Marketing 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 chance as a young adult to move to Denver from Michigan, and why that was such an important point in her life. She also mentions her favorite things about working with Music for the Soul and some upcoming projects she is working on.   Who is Kelsey Vredeveld? Driven, passionate, creative thinker with a mind for marketing, Kelsey achieved a Bachelor of Arts from Hope College, double majoring in Communications and Business Management. She now works on actively expanding her professional experience in marketing, branding, and design. These explorations have granted proficiency in public speaking, time management, and attention to detail as well as professional training in digital promotion, public relations, web design, and graphic design suites. Kelsey has provided incredible work with Music for the Soul in managing our social media platforms, creating audiograms for those platforms and so much more. Resources: If you would like to reach out to Kelsey for work in Marketing, Social Media Management, or anything else she discussed in today's episode, you can reach her at her email: kvredeve@gmail.com

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: http://www.davidsviolin.com 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/

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), Victoria Kepler Didato 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, dotk7@aol.com. 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/

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 redirects our gaze to how God helps us through loss. Lee talks about enduring the loss of several family members and what scripture tells us about loss, grief, and hope. Lee shares how transformational music was in his own story of coping through his losses and finding healing, which led him to working on the song we will be discussing today, Depth of Love.  Resources: Our listeners can reach out to Lee at his email, lee@breadofpeacemusic.com  You can also checkout his music on his YouTube Channel at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/@BreadofPeaceMusic-1955?app=desktop

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: https://www.theladyproductions.com You can also email Denise at denisejanaemusic@gmail.com

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: https://www.shellybeachonline.com You can also find Shelly on Facebook at the link here: https://www.facebook.com/people/Caregiving-Journey/100064434984573/

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: www.speakingtruthinlove.org You can also get in touch with Dale through his email, dfingraham@speakingtruthinlove.org and their cellphone number is 607-542-0316

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: https://www.jasonwebbmusic.com

On 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 techniques she uses to inspire creativity when she is writing her songs. Belinda hosts songwriting workshops throughout the year, which you can learn more about in the resources below!   Who is Belinda Smith? Belinda is a Dove Award winning songwriter based in Nashville, TN. She has been a professional songwriter and session singer since 1997 when she moved to Nashville from West Virginia. Belinda has had well over a hundred songs recorded by artists ranging from Grammy-nominated Ty Herndon to the Dove Award winning group Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Along with that, she has been honored with other Dove nominations, enjoyed several #1 songs and has three BMI Awards to date. Resources: Our listeners can visit Belinda's website, Unhooked Life, at the link here: https://www.unhookedlife.com You can also check out her Facebook Community page at the link here: https://m.facebook.com/belindasmithcreative

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: https://stopsoldiersuicide.org You can get access to a five song album with devotional written by Eric at the link here: https://iccicoaching.com/product/when-war-comes-home-album-devotional/ Our listeners can get access to projects Eric worked on, like Songs from the Garage, at the link here: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/songs-from-the-garage/

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: https://www.grievinggumdrops.com We also encourage you to check out her non-profit, Lydia's Love, at the link here: http://www.lydiaslove.org

Hymns 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 hymns to write her book, Songs of Suffering, and how it is a source of comfort for anyone who needs hope in the hardships of life.   Who is Joni Eareckson Tada? Joni Eareckson Tada is a beloved Christian author, speaker and an internationally renowned advocate for people with disabilities. She is Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, a Christian organization known for sharing hope through hardship within the disability community. Located in Agoura Hills, California, the Joni and Friends International Disability Center serves as hub for a global outreach which impacts hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities and their families.  Resources: Our listeners can check out Joni's Book, Songs of Suffering, as well as her entire catalogue of songs and more on her website: https://www.joniandfriends.org

God 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 singing/songwriting duo with songs that "ache" with the emotions of life's trials.   Sam discusses why he thought it was so important to focus more on the heart and soul of a song than it was to write something that he thought would sell well. Becca also explains how she doesn't see herself as a performer, but rather someone who uses her gifts in singing to share messages that provide healing, hope and inspiration for what God can do in our lives.   Who are Sam and Becca Mizell? Sam and Becca Mizell are singer/songwriters from outside the Nashville area. They have been making music for around 20 years. Between them, they share 3 Grammy Nominations, 2 ASCAP Songs Of The Year, 7 #1 Songs, and 2 Dove Awards. Becca is also a featured vocalist on Hidden In My Heart Scripture Lullabies. Their latest collaboration, LIFE Vol. 1, showcases their talent through several songs written for well-known artists ("King Of The World" by Natalie Grant, "The Motions" by Matthew West, "Broken Ladders" by Selah) as well as brand new compositions. Their prayer is that you will be richly blessed as you listen and that God alone will be glorified.. Resources: Our listeners can check out all of their songs on their official YouTube Channel at the link here: https://www.youtube.com/@SamandBeccaMizell/featured

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: www.michaelo.org To book Michael, our listeners can reach him at his email: Michael@michaelo.org

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: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/product_musicians/lisa-bevill/ You can also check out Lisa's Facebook page at the link here: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBevillMusic/

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: https://www.differentdream.com You can also check out for Jolene's blog and fictional works by visiting her other website: https://www.jolenephilo.com

We'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. She speaks to the importance of leaning on God in all moments of our lives, even when we don't always get definitive answers to the "how" and "why."   Sharron explains how she used her anxiety and adversity as a driving force to write music that dives into deep emotional struggles. She also says that, with God as our Heavenly Father, it is never too late to get started and never too late to get back up.   Who is Shannon Adducci? Shannon Adducci is a beloved singer, songwriter and worship leader who writes from the deep places of struggle and joy in her own story. After graduating from Christ for the Nations and Dallas Baptist University, she began to work with musical artists and ministries such as Women of Faith, Revive Our Hearts, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Integrity Music, Maranatha! Music, Focus on the Family, Our Daily Bread, Jared Anderson, Paul Baloche, & others. Sharron has also had the privilege of writing and recording six albums of her own thus far and also writing for other artists over the years. Resources: Our listeners can purchase Shannon's full catalogue of music, read her blog posts and more on her website: https://www.shannonadduccimusic.com