Music for the Soul Podcast

Depression is a condition that can affect every aspect of your life. Things that fell into place before become significantly more difficult and even your faith can begin to feel like it isn't functioning. Thankfully, there is hope in finding God's grace and love in those moments of darkness.

Our guest on today's episode is Author Heidi Austel. Heidi shares her story of learning to live with her clinical depression, which lasted almost 12 years. She talks about how God showed her how to reconcile her life from her illness by rebuilding her with a faith that worked, even in depression.

One of the most crucial ways Heidi says she rebuilt that faith was through music. Heidi shares how she created a playlist of faith-based songs that covered a variety of emotions and used them while she would exercise. She also breaks down some of the Music for the Soul songs that had the greatest emotional and spiritual impact on her during her battles with depression.

Who is Heidi Austel?

Heidi Austel was born into a first-generation, Christian family and accepted Jesus as her personal Savior at the tender age of five. Heidi was diagnosed with severe clinical depression in 2003 which began the 12 most difficult years she had ever experienced. Suddenly, God healed her. But He taught her the most precious things about Himself during her illness: His love, kindness, presence, grace and mercy. Grace-saturated, gospel principles gave her the ability to bear up under such a difficult affliction. Her passion in life will forever be to use that period of suffering to broadcast the amazing grace of God and the glory of the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world. 

Resources:

Our listeners can check out Heidi's book, her playlist and more on her website: www.discoveringgodsgraceindepression.com

You can also get in touch with Heidi through her email: graceanddepression@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

Men who have experienced trauma after their partner has an abortion have often struggled to find help, both in terms of the quality of treatment and from their hesitation to seek help through counseling. Our guest on today's show, Licensed Counselor, Greg Hasek, speaks about his personal trauma after his partner got an abortion and what lead him to begin studying and treating men suffering with trauma from abortion and sexual addiction. He also shares why he believes music is such a potent tool for men experiencing trauma.

Greg helps us understand what men often go through when they visit an abortion clinic with their partner. He breaks down why this experience can create a great level of trauma in men, and also how things like sexual addiction can feed into this trauma further. He also explains how to overcome the stereotype in men that seeking counseling is a sign of weakness and how they can begin to view it as a method of strength that helps them to step into who they are called to be. 

Who is Greg Hasek?

Gregory Hasek started his career in the counseling field working with adolescents in various residential treatment facilities, wilderness camps etc. This work took place for several years in the late 80's and early 90's. He received his A.S. degree in Outdoor Recreation in 1983 and later his B.S. degree in Outdoor Recreation in 1991 from Montreat College in Montreat, North Carolina. He then attended George Fox University in Portland, Oregon from 1995-1998 and received his Masters degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. He has been a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon since 2004. He has also been the executive director of a Christian non-profit counseling agency called Misty Mountain Family Counseling Center since 2004 in Portland, Oregon, until his recent move to Southwest Florida in 2015. He has been a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida since 2015. He is also a Florida Qualified Supervisor for both Registered Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Interns. 

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about Greg's counseling, resources and more by visiting his website: www.swflchristiancounseling.org

Listen to Greg on the Empowered Manhood Podcast by clicking here: www.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/empowered-manhood

Our listeners can also reach out to Greg through his email, swflchristiancounseling@gmail.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

Music is something that impacts all of us in our daily lives. However, our guest today, music educator Mindy Peterson, explains how music can offer healing to those that are suffering with conditions like dementia and those walking through psychological trauma. Mindy breaks down how music can be a powerful tool for enhancing peoples' lives and what exactly makes music such a potent connector to our memories, emotions and more. She also shares how faith-based music, like the songs written by Music for the Soul, have an especially strong effect for those walking through a variety of hardships in their lives.

Mindy then explains how she became a music advocate, how she became connected with Music for the Soul's ministry, and why music advocacy through organizations like Music for the Soul are so imporant in today's world that seems filled with mental illness and stress. If you've ever heard one of our songs and resonated with it on a deep spiritual level and wondered "why was that?" or thought "what type of music should I recommend to my friend who is struggling?", this is an episode you need to listen to!

Who is Mindy Peterson?

With a background in both business and music, Mindy Peterson hosts the music education and advocacy podcast, Enhance Life with Music: A holistic look at the power of music in our everyday lives. The inspiration and enrichment of music are explored through the lens of science & health, sports & entertainment, business, and education. The show is in Chartable's Top 200 Music Podcasts for both USA and Global lists, has downloads in over 100 countries, and is in Listen Score's top 10% of global podcasts (like Nielsen ratings for podcasts). It has been featured in media including "Podcast Magazine," The Business Side of Music podcast, Arts for the Health of It Podcast, and The Iowa Music Teacher Magazine.

Passionate about health & wellness, Mindy is a Founding Member & Advisory Board Member of American Life Music Council, a national coalition of healthcare providers dedicated to furthering complementary and alternative uses of music in mental health and wellness for persons and families coping with serious illness or for those who want to improve and enjoy life.

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about Mindy, her work as a music educator and listen to her podcast by visiting her website here: www.mpetersonmusic.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

Christmas songs create such a sense of wonder and delight during the Christmas season. They also help to paint a picture of God's incredible love for us, that He would send us His son to Earth for us. That's why on today's episode of The Music for The Soul Podcast, founder Steve Siler sits down with Becky Nordquist to discuss how he writes Christmas music, including The Lord Sent A Child. Steve explains that he wrote and recorded several Christmas songs in the blistering heat of summer in Los Angeles, how he came up with the lyrics for those songs, and how he found the right people to accompany those lyrics with beautiful melodies.

The Lord Sent A Child is a Christmas song that highlights not only what God did for us on that fateful Christmas evening, but HOW He did it. He did not come with trumpets blaring or descend down with an army of angel, but rather He sent us a child. A child who was destined to save us all from the eternal death of sin. 

We hope this episode will fill you with the joy of the Christmas season, but also the understanding of what goes into a great Christmas song and what it truly means for us as followers of Christ.

Who is Steve Siler?

Steve Siler is an award winning songwriter, video producer, and music producer. He is also a speaker, author, and founder and director of Music for the Soul. Through his work through Music for the Soul he has been called “The father of the healing Christian music movement.”

As a songwriter Siler has had over 500 of his songs recorded in the Christian, pop, & country markets.

Nominated for multiple Dove Awards, Siler won Inspirational Song of the Year with I Will Follow Christ. Circle of Friends and Not Too Far From Here are the best known of his nine #1 Contemporary Christian songs and forty-five top ten singles.

Resources:

Our listeners can listen to and purchase The Lord Sent a Child by visiting the link here: www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/the-lord-sent-a-child

You can also listen to more episodes of The Music for the Soul Podcast by clicking the link here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/music-for-the-soul-podcast/

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

Eating disorders and body dismorphia are overwhelming for so many today, from children to adults. That's why we are so blessed to have Dr. Linda Mintle on The Music for The Soul Podcast to talk about getting to the heart of eating disorders and what we can do to heal from the. Dr. Linda talks about the issues that often lead to eating disorders from control, to identity, to past traumas and dives to the core of each to explain how we can renew our minds from the toxicity of eating disorders. She walks through how transformational songs and music can tap into what victims of eating disorders are feeling and how that can be used as a tool for regaining control of their lives.

Dr. Linda also shares her own story of struggling with body dismorphia and control, and how she used those events in her life to help others on their journey of hope and healing. 

Who is Dr. Linda Mintle?

Dr. Linda has her Ph.D. in Urban Health and Clinical Psychology and is a national expert on mental health. She has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders, anxiety, depression and pain management. With 30 years of clinical experience working with couples, families and individuals, she brings her common-sense approach to people who want to live in positive mental health.

Dr. Linda is also a bestselling author with 20 book titles to her credit, a radio host of the Dr. Linda Mintle show, professor, national speaker, winner of the Mom’s Choice Award, a national news consultant, featured writer for Beliefnet and hosts her own website. Her academic appointments keep her abreast of current research in her areas of expertise. Her media experience includes seven years as the resident expert for ABC Family’s Living the Life television show and regular appearances on network television and radio.

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about Dr. Linda's books like Living Beyond Pain, resources on healthy relationships with food, and much more by visiting: www.drlindamintle.com

You can also listen to Dr. Linda's Podcast by clicking the link here: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dr-linda-mintle-show/id1069482946

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

What goes into writing a truly impactful song? That's exactly the question we answer on today's episode with our friend, Dove Award Winning songwriter, Tony Wood. Tony breaks down his history of writing over 900 songs in the Contemparary Christian Music Market and which songs have had the greatest impact on him. Tony also shares stories and lessons from his journey, including how the uniqueness of one's voice is so important when it comes to creating a song, as well as the wisdom he's sustained throughout his 30+ years of experience. 

Tony also explains how music is a connection straight to our hearts and that, often times, each of our lives has a soundtrack. For those that are interested in training and honing their craft of songwriting, Tony believes that there has never been a better time. He shares tips and tricks for budding songwriters on what they can do to find their voice and write songs that will give voice to the Love and Majesty of God to those who need it most.

If you have been curious about what goes into writing a deep, meaningful song, including those featured on Music For The Soul, or if you have wanted to learn how to get started songwriting yourself, this is an episode you will want to listen through. 

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 900 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.  Tony is currently a staff writer for Curb Word Music Publishing.

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about Tony Wood, his book A Parent's Book of Prayers, and much more by visiting www.tonywoodonline.com

Our listeners can also follow Tony on his Instagram: @tonywood_exit71

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

We are thrilled to have award winning singer, song-writer, and author, Nita Whitaker on this week's Music for the Soul Podcast, as she speaks about finding her way after the loss of her husband, Don LaFontaine. She speaks about the impact of the song, Drink Deep, and how important it is for each of us to allow our emotions to flow during times of grief and stress. She explains that it is through experiencing grief that we can begin to experience healing. Grief often has many different stages and forms that each person walks through differently. It does not have a set timeline that we have to follow, and Nita shares her journey of walking that path of grief and acceptance, showing us that it is okay to not be okay.

Nita also shares wisdom from her father, Green Whitaker, in her book When Your Hand in the Lion's Mouth. She talks about how her father showed her that when life presents you with things that are completely overwhelming, you must stay calm. She explains that if we can stay calm in the face of adversities and put our faith in God, it can help us to weather all of the storms that life will throw at us. 

Nita's story is one of both the sorrow of grief and the joys of family, and how we can find our way after loss and step into who God has called us to be.

Who is Nita Whitaker?

NITA WHITAKER, recently made her Broadway debut as Wiletta Mayers in Alice Childress’ Trouble in Mind in 2021. As the 2019 NAACP Best Supporting Actress award winner for her role of Mom Winans in the Broadway bound musical Born For This. Nita is also a favorite singer of legendary producer David Foster. Having sung with some of the most famous voices of our time including duets with Andre Bocelli, Michael Bolton and Josh Groban. She also sang the original demos for Whitney Houston’s standards, “I Will Always Love You”, “I Have Nothing” and “I Look to You”, and worked with greats Carol Bayer Sager, Walter A. and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Burt Bacharach, James Ingram, Steve Tyrell, Patti LaBelle, Lionel Ritchie, Yolanda Adams, Nathan East, and Barbara Streisand. She has entertained thousands as well hundreds in her own intimate one woman shows, charity galas and corporate events; her expansive talent and humor continues to find new avenues to be expressed. Nita has recorded 4 independent records, appeared in movies, television shows and multiple studio recordings. 

Resources:

Our listeners can get in contact with Nita at her email, Nita@nitawhitaker.com, or on her facebook page linked here: www.facebook.com/NitaWhitakerLaFontaine/

Also check out Nita's Book, When Your Hand is in the Lion's Mouth, at the link here: www.amazon.com/When-Your-Hand-Lions-Mouth/

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

This week on The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are thrilled to have award-winning singer and songwriter, Regie Hamm, as our guest. Regie talks about his unique introduction to the world of music, the highs and lows of his career, and how ultimately he reconciled his relationship with Christ through his love of writing music, rather than performing it. Regie shares the moment he began questioning "was I ever actually in love with music? Or was it just because I was raised doing this?".  From this, he became disheartened and really struggled to find joy in music the way he had early on in his career. He then realized around 2020 was if he stayed in the process of making music, that was where the true soul healing came from. It was in the joy of creation that brought him clarity of God's grace and love, and it is something that he truly enjoys.

Regie also speaks about the journey of adopting his two children, including their daughter from China, and how deep and fatherly his love for his children is. He breaks down the challenges adopted children and their adoptive parents face, and what solutions look like for parents to help children walk through them. This episode shares both how the creation of music and the creation of a family through adoption can blossom God's love and blessing in so many people's lives. It is truly one that you don't want to miss!

Who is Regie Hamm?

Regie Hamm is a multi award-winning songwriter and artist with over 20 #1 hits under his belt. He even penned the 2008 American Idol/David Cook smash hit “Time Of My Life”.  While he still writes and performs, he’s since become a prolific blogger with over 10,000 page views per month. He is also the author of Angels and Idols, a story that shares a journey that put him in the company of Angels and Idols--a journey that would test not only his physical resources but also his faith. In Angels and Idols Regie recounts his rise, his fall, and his ultimate surrender to God's will. In addition to his performance and writing career, Regie is devoted to helping the causes of both adoption and Angelman Syndrome, the genetic disorder that affects his daughter, Isabella.

Resources:

Our listeners can reach out to Regie and get all of the latest news on his projects by visiting his Facebook page here: www.facebook.com/people/Regie-Hamm/100057795590046/

Also check out Regie's Book, Angels and Idols, at the link here: www.amazon.com/Angels-Idols-Regie-Hamm/dp/1616634405

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

This week on The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are diving into the topic of hardships, apathy and truly understanding that Jesus Christ is with us in ALL things. Our guest on today's episode is founder of Nashville Christian Songwriters, John Chisum. John shares his story of moving to Nashville in 1983 to take a church job that ultimately fell through, leaving him and his newly wed wife with $40 in their pockets and no place to live. From there, he wound up becoming a mentee to the legendary Gary McSpadden which sparked his journey to write songs and perform all over the globe. However, in 2015, John ended his ministry job in Michigan and returned "home" to Nashville, where he said it was like 1983 all over again. 

Through these periods of tumultuous highs and lows, John moved into having a "soul of shame". As he became more apathetic, he realized that apathy doesn't mean that you simply don't care but it means that you CAN'T care, you lose your capacity to care. However, it was in these moments of abject hopelessness that John shares his turnaround was walking around his neighborhood everyday. It was in those walks that everything began to fall away to the one thought of "I and my Father are ONE". From there, John knew that he was not exercising even the inate human powers that Christ has given us. Thus, his mindset began to shift and he began to step into God's true calling in his life by founding Nashville Christian Songwriters.

John's story is a raw, real look at how God often uses the deepest valleys of our lives to tell us to step up into who He has called us to be, and how He gives us the tools to accomplish that. This is an incredible episode for anyone who feels they are also walking in a place of apathy or depression and shows us that there is hope in ALL things through Christ.

Who is John Chisum?

John Chisum is a well-known worship leader, songwriter, publisher, and long-time music industry leader. With over 400 of his own songs published in his 30-year career, he is best known for his songs recorded by CCM Artists Larnelle Harris, Steve Green, The Cathedrals, The Gaither Vocal Band, First Call, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, and on dozens of Integrity’s Hosanna! Music Series recordings. His songs have also been featured in hymnals, on Time-Life Music products, and on his own catalog of worship recordings. His Integrity Music album “Firm Foundation” is a worship classic that has won the hearts of listeners worldwide.

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about John's 31 day "modevotional" email list, podcast and more through his website: www.johnchisum.com

You can reach John on all of his social media channels: @JohnChisumOfficial

You can also learn more about his ministry, Nashville Christian Songwriters, by visiting their website: www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.

Welcome to the first episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast, where we talk honestly about difficult things and share stories about the transformational healing that music can bring to peoples lives. Our guest on this inaugural episode is Author Dawn Damon. Dawn shares her experience of sexual abuse at a young age and talks about how the song Dead Hearts Don't Cry was so meaningful in her journey of recovery.

She explains that Dead Hearts Don't Cry meant so much to her because she was so numb from her abuse for so many years that she couldn't find the words to truly process her grief. Dawn saw the revelation that what had happened to her as a child was not over just because it was over. The unresolved trauma of it was living on inside her and her body was telling on her with a list of physical symptoms. However, she still struggled to find words to properly grieve for her trauma and move past it. Dawn emphasizes that is why music is such a transformational tool for trauma, because it gives victims melodies and lyrics as tools in the hands of victims to begin healing. This episode is so important to those who have suffered sexual abuse in any stage of their life, and we hope that you will find peace and restoration listening to Dawn's story and Dead Hearts Don't Cry.

Who is Dawn Damon?

Dawn Damon is an influencer, global communicator, podcaster, high performance coach, and best selling author.

Her 5 award-winning books, include When a Woman You Love Was Abused, When the Woman Abused Was Me, The Freedom Challenge: 60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You, Redemption Press, and The Freedom Challenge for Men: 60 Days to Untie the Cords that Bind You.

Dawn is the founder and CEO of New Dawn Rising and the BraveHearted Woman, an enterprise and a non-profit designed to cultivate the vision of women dreamers, and equip them to live their best life.

Dawn and her husband Paul Damon reside in the Grand Rapids, MI area and have a full family of three married children, two college-age sons, and eleven grandchildren.

Resources:

Our listeners can learn more about Dawn and all of the resources she offers for abuse victims on her website: www.dawndamon.com

For access to all of Dawn's books, check out her website www.dawndamon.com/books or her Amazon Store Page

You can also find her on all social media channels. Her handle on all social media sites is @DawnDamon

If you want to reach out to Dawn by email, you can email her at dawn@braveheartmentor.com

Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.