Music for the Soul Podcast Becky Nordquist & Steve Siler

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/