Music for the Soul Podcast

By: Becky Nordquist & Steve Siler
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  • Summary

  • Welcome to The Music for the Soul Podcast, where we 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 to bring light into the dark places.
    2022
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Christianity Music Spirituality
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Episodes
  • Episode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home Ministry

    Episode 93: Susan Piper Shares How God Led a Fame-Seeking Songwriter into Nursing Home Ministry
    Feb 19 2025
    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," A Blessing Is In It.
    By Susan Piper

    Resources:

    Our listeners can purchase Susan's Book, A Blessing Is In It, at the link here: https://www.amazon.com/Blessing-Alcoholic-Fame-Seeking-Songwriter-Ministry/dp/B0DP9D97BC

    You can also learn more about Susan on her website: https://www.susanpiper.com

    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: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE-EzaJ0CzU
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    38 mins
  • Episode 92: Counselor and Author Lisa Saruga Shares The Trauma Tree

    Episode 92: Counselor and Author Lisa Saruga Shares The Trauma Tree
    Jan 22 2025
    We have discussed trauma on many episodes of the Music for the Soul Podcast. However, today's discussion really digs down to the root of trauma and what recovery, support and healing look like for victims struggling with big T and little t trauma. Our guest on today's episode is licensed professional counselor, EMDR trauma Therapist and author Lisa Saruga, as she speaks on different points from her debut book, The Trauma Tree. Lisa shares the story of recovering from her own trauma at 18 years old when she was assaulted by a masked assailant and what that journey of recovery looked like. She also talks about the benefits of different therapies like EMDR and how every person's journey through trauma will have similar steps but ultimately different paths. Lisa offers a message of hope, compassion, and healing for those experiencing trauma and creates a grounded framework based in God's love that inspires and encourages. We are so excited to share this message with you today to start out 2025! Who is Lisa Saruga? Lisa Saruga is a licensed professional counselor, EMDR trauma therapist, speaker, and author. She's certified as a legal and ethical specialist by the American School Counselor Association. Saruga's advocacy extends to legislative efforts for survivor justice and her impactful contributions as a writer, notably in Carolyn Stone's School Counseling Principles: Ethics and Law. Her debut book, The Trauma Tree, signifies a new chapter in her commitment to empowering others, marking her as a prominent voice in the field. Find her at lisasaruga.com.

    Resources:

    Our listeners can pre-purchase Lisa's book, The Trauma Tree, launching February 11th at the link here or wherever you purchase fine books: https://www.amazon.com/Trauma-Tree-Survival-Growing-Wholeness/dp/0825448743
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    47 mins
  • Episode 91: Living Legends - with Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, & Bob Farrell

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

    As we close out 2024, Music for the Soul reflects on the extraordinary guests who’ve graced our podcast this year. In this week’s special episode, we revisit some of our most memorable moments with living legends of the music industry—Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, and Bob Farrell.

    Steve and Becky share what made these conversations truly special, as they explore the heartfelt stories and life-changing insights these icons shared about their careers, personal journeys, and the transformative power of Christ in music.

    Pull up a chair and join us as we celebrate the impactful words and music that defined this year on the Music for the Soul Podcast.

    Resources:

    Our listeners can hear the song "The Lord Sent a Child" and find additional Christmas songs on our website: https://www.musicforthesoul.org/resources/the-lord-sent-a-child/

    You can also hear each of the full episodes with Gloria Gaither, Larnell Harris, and Bob Farrell at the links here: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-65-how-a-song-can-rescue-a-hurting/id1654054877?i=1000643625773 , https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-84-legendary-gospel-singer-larnelle-harris/id1654054877?i=1000669903041 , https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/episode-30-christian-music-icon-bob-farrell-shares/id1654054877?i=1000615088110

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    47 mins

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