Song Revolution with John Chisum

Song Revolution Podcast – Season 4
 
TITLE: DAVID LEONARD: What Does Faith Look Like When Life Gets Hard?
 
HOST: John Chisum
 
EPISODE SUMMARY
David Leonard, formerly of All Sons & Daughters, joins John Chisum for a heartfelt conversation about faith, family, vulnerability, and finding hope in difficult seasons. David shares the frightening medical crisis his daughter River experienced, how prayer and community carried his family through it, and why honesty about our struggles can help others feel less alone.
 
EPISODE TOPICS
David's journey as a worship songwriter and solo artist
His daughter River's life-threatening medical crisis
The power of prayer and community in hard seasons
Writing songs through personal pain and faith
The importance of vulnerability and authenticity
Learning from mistakes and extending grace
Balancing creative work with family priorities
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Playing a song he wrote years earlier beside his daughter's hospital bed changed its meaning forever.
David's family leaned on prayer and the support of others during River's medical emergency.
Vulnerability can give others permission to be honest about their own struggles.
Mistakes don't have to define us; we can learn, change, and create something beautiful from them.
David encourages people to resist isolation and make room for grace, connection, and growth.
 
FINAL TAKEAWAY
Your hardest seasons can deepen your faith and change the way you see your life and your art. Be honest about what you're walking through, lean on others, and remember that mistakes and struggles don't have to be the end of your story.
 
 
RESOURCES & LINKS:
 
Follow along with David Leonard!
https://www.davidleonardmusic.com/
 
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting.
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide
 
Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge
 
Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
 
Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters!
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
 
Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/

Song Revolution Podcast – Season 4
 
TITLE: KATHY TROCCOLI: What Matters Most After a Lifetime in Music?
 
HOSTS: John Chisum
 
EPISODE SUMMARY
Kathy Troccoli joins John Chisum to reflect on her decades-long music career, her personal faith journey, and what matters most beyond success. From discovering a relationship with Jesus to serving on mission trips around the world, Kathy shares how God has shaped her priorities, taught her to let go of expectations, and called her to live with greater compassion and generosity.
 
EPISODE TOPICS
Kathy's four-decade career and enduring songs
Finding a personal relationship with Jesus
Prioritizing Christlike character over industry success
Handling criticism and finding identity in God
How mission trips reshape perspective and priorities
Practicing generosity and noticing people others overlook
Following God one step at a time
Exploring new creative directions later in life
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Success isn't the ultimate goal; becoming more like Jesus is.
A friend's kindness and genuine faith helped Kathy become curious about God.
Kathy's experiences serving people in need changed how she viewed possessions, gratitude, and generosity.
She encourages believers to become "noticers," seeing and valuing the people around them.
Kathy continues to create music while learning not to run ahead of God's direction.
Her guiding question is simple: "Lord, every day, what do you want me to know and what do you want me to do?"
 
FINAL TAKEAWAY
A meaningful life and creative career are about more than recognition or achievement. Stay rooted in Jesus, notice the people around you, live generously, and trust God to reveal the next step in His timing.
 
RESOURCES & LINKS:
 
Follow along with Kathy Troccoli!
https://kathytroccoli.com/
 
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting.
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide
 
Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge
 
Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
 
Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters!
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
 
Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/

Song Revolution Podcast – Season 4
 
TITLE: BAY TURNER: What If Your Detour Is Part of Your Calling?
 
HOSTS: John Chisum
 
EPISODE SUMMARY
Bay Turner joins John Chisum to share an incredible story of faith, vocal injury, and discovering who God created him to be. After doctors told Bay he might never sing again, his voice was ultimately restored. Bay also talks about leaving opera behind, finding his unique sound, and learning to fully surrender his life and calling to God.
 
EPISODE TOPICS
Bay's journey from opera to Christian music
The vocal injury that threatened his singing career
How his classical training helped preserve his voice
Discovering his unique sound and identity
Working with Tommy Prophet on Resurrection of the King
Turning pain and difficult seasons into songs
Learning what full surrender to God looks like
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
At just 22, Bay was told he might never sing again.
His years of vocal training ultimately helped him recover and continue singing.
Bay realized he didn't need to fit an established mold in either opera or Christian music.
He describes learning to see himself through God's eyes rather than trying to become someone else.
A difficult breakup became a season of deeper surrender and dependence on God.
Bay encourages listeners to get alone with God and ask Him to reveal anything that still needs to be surrendered.
 
FINAL TAKEAWAY
God doesn't need you to become someone else. He wants you to fully surrender what He has given you and become the person He created you to be. Even painful detours can become preparation for the calling ahead.
 
 
RESOURCES & LINKS:
 
Follow along with Bay Turner!
https://www.bayturner.com/
 
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting.
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide
 
Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge
 
Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
 
Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters!
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
 
Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/

Song Revolution Podcast – Season 4
 
TITLE: PHOEBE SCOTT & ANGELA JOWERS: Money, Mindset, and the Creative Life
 
HOSTS: John Chisum
 
EPISODE SUMMARY
Phoebe Scott and her mom, life coach Angela Jowers, join John Chisum for a conversation about creativity, mindset, and one topic many Christians struggle to talk about: money. Angela shares how changing your mindset can change the way you approach money, work, creativity, and the next season God is leading you into.
 
EPISODE TOPICS
Developing a healthy relationship with money
Mindset and its impact on creativity and life
Moving from limiting beliefs to new possibilities
Phoebe and Angela's podcast, If It's Not One Thing, It's Your Mother
Life coaching versus therapy
The value of having a coach who can "zoom out"
Finding balance between coaching and songwriting
Creating space for God to work through coaching
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Money can be a difficult subject for Christians, but our beliefs and mindset around it matter.
Changing your mindset can help you step into the season God has for you.
Life coaching focuses on moving forward through mindset, emotional health, and intentional action.
A coach can see things from a different perspective and help identify what you may not be able to see yourself.
Coaching can create a meaningful space for people to recognize what is possible and align their thinking with God.
Community and coaching can make personal growth more powerful than trying to do everything alone.
 
FINAL TAKEAWAY
The way you think about money, creativity, and yourself can affect how you move forward. Sometimes the next step is not simply working harder, but changing your mindset, getting perspective, and creating space for God to lead you into what's next.
 
 
RESOURCES & LINKS:
 
Follow along with Angela Jowers
https://www.landofangelacoaching.com/link-in-bio
 
Follow along with Phoebe Scott
https://www.instagram.com/phoebeisloud/?hl=en
 
 
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting.
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide
 
Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge
 
Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
 
Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters!
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
 
Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/

Song Revolution Podcast – Season 4
 
TITLE: LAURA OSNES: How Do You Keep Going When the World Says No?
 
HOSTS: John Chisum
 
EPISODE SUMMARY
Broadway star Laura Osnes joins John Chisum to talk about faith, resilience, creativity, and finding courage after seasons of rejection and hardship. Laura shares what she has learned from her Broadway career, her experience performing for the Memorial Day concert in Washington, D.C., and the importance of staying grounded in who God has called you to be rather than comparing yourself to others.
 
EPISODE TOPICS
Laura's Broadway journey and performing at the Memorial Day concert
The preparation and pressure behind a major live broadcast
Handling rejection, criticism, and negativity
Overcoming comparison and embracing your unique gifts
The mental and emotional challenges of a creative career
Equipping the next generation through Stagecraft
Trusting God when life doesn't look the way you expected
Seeking God first in difficult or uncertain seasons
 
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Laura reflects on the honor of performing for Gold Star families and veterans.
She talks honestly about the rejection and criticism that can come with being in the spotlight.
Comparison can steal your joy; confidence grows when you embrace the gifts God has uniquely given you.
A successful creative career requires more than talent—it takes resilience, preparation, skill, and perseverance.
Through Stagecraft, Laura is using her experience to equip the next generation of theater artists.
Laura's encouragement for difficult seasons: "Seek first the kingdom of heaven."
 
FINAL TAKEAWAY
Your calling isn't about becoming someone else or achieving someone else's version of success. Stay rooted in who God created you to be, keep showing up through rejection and uncertainty, and seek Him first. The rest can unfold in His timing.
 
 
RESOURCES & LINKS:
 
Follow along with Laura Onses!
https://lauraosnes.com/
 
FREE DOWNLOAD - The Complete NCS Songwriting Guide: Proven Principles for writing better songs, stewarding your gifts, and building a lasting life of Christian songwriting.
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/guide
 
Join the NCS ONE SONG CHALLENGE!
https://courses.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/one-song-challenge
 
Be a part of our community of songwriters from across the globe. Join NCS Community!
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-community
 
Check out Nashville Christian Songwriters!
NashvilleChristianSongwriters.com
 
Real people writing real songs - check out NCS Collective
https://www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com/ncs-collective/