In this episode of The Deepest Cut, Chris Rohman of Sanctus Real opens up about the deeply personal story behind the band’s single On The Mend. After decades of making honest, faith-driven music, Chris reflects on recent struggles with mental health and how a season of panic attacks led to a powerful new song about breaking down—and slowly healing. It’s a candid conversation on vulnerability, longevity, and the ongoing journey of making music that truly matters.

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On this episode of The Deepest Cut, singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb reflects on the story behind “Red Sea Road,” a song written during a season of profound sorrow. She shares how grief, faith, and community shaped the songwriting process, and we explore her journey as a solo artist, author, and mother navigating creativity in hard places.

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On this episode of The Deepest Cut, producer and songwriter Ben Shive reflects on the story behind Bright Sadness, a poignant co-write with Jill Phillips from her 2021 album Deeper Into Love. Written in the wake of a diagnosis and personal crisis, the song became a way for Ben to hold grief and grace in the same breath. Ben shares how songwriting helps him give shape to sorrow, not as a place to process pain, but as the work that begins after. This is a conversation about paradox, precision, and the quiet strength of hope.

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In this episode of The Deepest Cut, singer-songwriter Jon Guerra unpacks the decade-long journey behind his moving track Teach Us That One Song. Reflecting on a faith that has evolved from childhood certainty to adult complexity, Jon shares how the song captures a spiritual snapshot shaped by doubt, suffering, and fatherhood. Join us as we explore the tension between growth and permanence in music and the story behind one of Jon’s most personal works.

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In this deeply honest episode of The Deepest Cut, singer-songwriter Taylor Leonhardt opens up about a faith crisis that shaped her hauntingly beautiful song, Lights Gone Out. Taylor shares how a friend’s bold advice to “murder someone in the chorus” helped her embrace vulnerability and truth in her songwriting. From navigating darkness to finding creative clarity, this conversation explores the power of authenticity in art. Join us as Taylor reflects on pain, growth, and the courage it takes to “go there.”

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In this episode of The Deepest Cut, Lisa Nicole and Danielle Torres of Out of Eden open up about their song Rolling Stone. They discuss the challenges of writing about family, balancing honesty with responsibility, and navigating the complexities of vulnerability in music. Plus, after nearly 20 years away, they reflect on their journey and what’s next for Out of Eden.

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On an ordinary day in Manhattan, J Lind found inspiration in the smallest moments—ultimately shaping his song Generous. In this episode of The Deepest Cut, J Lind shares how his experiences as a med student and hospice volunteer influence his songwriting. Join us for a conversation on finding beauty in the mundane and meaning in unexpected places.

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In this episode of The Deepest Cut, Jason Gray opens up about Worth Staying For—one of the most intimate songs of his career—exploring themes of abandonment, divorce, and personal accountability. Jason shares how he’s learned to transform pain instead of transmit it, creating music that resonates with his listeners in profound ways. 

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Andrew Osenga spent nine years chasing the right words for a song that refused to be finished. From his days with The Normals to his time in Caedmon’s Call, the chorus lingered—waiting for the right moment. That moment came through deep personal loss, shaping Hold the Light into a powerful reflection on grief, community, and persistence in songwriting. 

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In a time of deep division, singer-songwriter Sara Groves reflects on the challenge of staying connected amidst anger and isolation. Inspired by the biblical plague of darkness—when “man could not see his brother”—she wrote Deal Breaker as a way to process both grief and hope. In this episode of The Deepest Cut, Sara discusses the shift from Culture Care to Culture Wars, the pursuit of a “generative life,” and the role of art in bridging divides.

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