Natalie Runion is a USA Today bestselling author, speaker, worship leader, songwriter and pastor who founded the Raised to Stay movement. She has been in ministry for over twenty years and built a community of over 200,000 people who are choosing to stay with Jesus even when the church has been hard.

In this conversation Natalie talks about:

• How she went from pastor's kid to worship leader to author and why God had to pry her favorite thing from her hands
• What she would say to the worship leader chasing the big church and the big song
• Why there is no greater place to be than trusted with the local church
• How Raised to Stay was born on a walk with the Lord out of a season of wanting to quit
• Writing songs for your congregation not for the industry
• What she learned about social media growth after a brain injury kept her off her phone for 90 days
• Why she sees her 200K following as a congregation not a fan club
• What it looks like to take your position on a birthing stool instead of a platform

This one is going to stay with you.

Follow Natalie on INSTAGRAM
  Join the Called to Music community on FACEBOOK

Terence Fisher has been playing music since he was a kid beatboxing on street corners in Shreveport Louisiana. He went to Grambling State for music performance, started producing in 2005, built a YouTube channel and social media following that reaches hundreds of thousands of musicians across Instagram, YouTube, TikTok and Facebook, and he did it all by just showing up consistently and giving away everything he knew for free.

In this conversation Terence and I talk about:

• Why identity is the number one thing holding musicians back
• How he navigated the church world and the secular world without losing himself in either
• What it actually takes to build an audience as a musician on social media
• The rocket ship principle and why most people quit right before liftoff
• What he calls the skill of skilling and why it changes everything
• What gives him hope about the future of musicians and the value of what we do

This is one of those conversations that just hits different. Terence is humble, wise, practical and he genuinely wants to see musicians win.

Follow Terence on Instagram

 Join the Community 

Teel Merrick found his way into worship leading because his youth pastor left him no choice. Fast forward to today — he’s the guy helping worship leaders and volunteers stop drowning in Planning Center so they can actually get to Thursday with margin left.

In this conversation Teel and I talk about:

• How God opened a door through a failed theme park purchase (yes, really)
• Why practical content beats inspirational content every time
• Periscope learning — his framework for getting better at skills without burning out
• AI in worship ministry — where it helps and where it can’t replace you
• Why less is the future of worship music
• Preferences vs. values — and why mixing them up will get you in trouble fast
• The insane volume of worship music being released and what it’s doing to local churches

Teel runs Worship Admin on Instagram and is one of those rare voices that’s just trying to help — no fluff, no paywall, just practical stuff you can use this week.

Follow Teel on Instagram

Worship Admin Spotify Playlist

Join the Called To Music Community

This week three songs showed up in the same day. Three very different experiences with AI music. And together they told a story I wasn't expecting.

One made me wish I hadn't heard it because it was so good and so fast. One made me ask what we're even doing this for. And one reminded me exactly what this calling is all about.

In this episode I process honestly what I think AI music tools like Suno can and can't do for us as faith based creatives. Not anti AI. Pro calling.

Because God didn't call us to a perfect finished product. He called us to a life of making music for our Creator.

Come join the Called to Music community on Facebook: HERE  

What if the pressure to sound like the biggest worship churches in the world is actually working against your congregation?

In this episode I sit down with Kelsey McGinnis, writer for Christianity Today, professor at Grand View University, and musicologist who studies worship culture from a genuinely unique outside perspective. We talk about the history of worship music, why we're all a little timestamped by the music that first moved us, the real cost of chasing excellence over obedience, and why writing songs for your own church might be one of the most powerful things you can do.

This one is full of honest conversation and real hope for anyone who leads music in the church.

Called to Music. For everyone God called to music.

Join the Called to Music community on Facebook: 

Have you ever felt called to more than one thing in music and had no idea what to do with it?

Me too. Let's talk about it.

This is the first episode of Called to Music and honestly it might be the most vulnerable thing I've ever recorded. I talk about a season of pulling back, what God showed me in the quiet, and why I believe the pruning seasons in our lives aren't meant to stop us. They're meant to help us grow the way He actually intended.

If you've ever felt the pressure to pick one lane, wondered if anyone would notice if you just stopped, or found yourself carrying more than you know how to hold, this one's for you.

Welcome to Called to Music. For everyone God called to music.

👥 Come join the Called to Music community on Facebook where worship leaders, songwriters, producers and indie artists go to find their people:

Join Here

In this episode of the CIAS Podcast, I sit down with worship leader and songwriter Charlie Hall.

Charlie has been writing worship songs for over 35 years, starting at age 17 when he first found God. He shares how his music has always reflected the rawness of his journey, through depression, aggression, and sin, and how he’s stayed connected to his local church community throughout.

We dive into his time with 6 Step Records, writing for Passion, and the heart of worship leadership. Charlie also opens up about the power of patience and joy in the in-between moments of life.

This one is truly inspiring and I pray that God speaks to you through it as the did to me.

To connect with Charlie Hall:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/charliehallband/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&feature=youtu.be&v=2q9fyoJ5fRM&src=Linkfire&lId=28579758-aa8e-4604-9102-38c90095d96b&cId=d3d58fd7-4c47-11e6-9fd0-066c3e7a8751

Frontline Music on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/artist/2uxYp5lsPE9t297UIoxAJz?si=ZxPudrpDRAGSXPtRC2N0NQ

In this video, I’m breaking down some of my favorite chord shapes for worship—G, C, D, and a few others that really help fill out your sound. 

These shapes make it super easy to transition between chords and keep things smooth during worship. Whether you’re leading in a small group or on a bigger stage, these will definitely help you out!

Make sure to hit like, subscribe, and join my Facebook group for Christian Indie Artists, Songwriters and Worship Leaders—it’s a great place to connect with others and share your journey.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/684796875715831

And if you haven’t already, grab my free Nashville Numbers Chart to help you level up your worship playing!
https://www.bryanbolivermusic.com/nns

In this episode, I’ll show you the 3 best chord shapes for leading worship on acoustic guitar—G, C, and D. 

These simple shapes will help you make smooth transitions between songs, free you from technical distractions, and allow you to focus on worshiping. 

I’ll also share tips on using a capo to compliment different keys and how growing as a musician can enhance your worship leading. 

Whether you’re playing behind the pastor or transitioning between songs, these shapes are a game changer! Grab your guitar, play along, and see the difference it makes.

👉 Join our Facebook Group for Christian Indie Artists & Songwriters: https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianindieartistsandsongwriters

🎶 Grab your free Nashville Number System Chart: 
https://www.bryanbolivermusic.com/nns

In this episode, I share 5 actionable ways to break through creative blocks and find fresh inspiration in your worship songwriting.

From changing your environment, to drawing from Scripture, and collaborating with others, these some of the things I talk about that will help you write songs that glorify God and resonate with your congregation.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Join the Christian Indie Artists & Songwriters Facebook group for support and encouragement on your songwriting journey:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/christianindieartistsandsongwriters

🎵 Download my free Nashville Numbers System chart to help with your songwriting here:
https://www.bryanbolivermusic.com/nns