The Secret Chord

Nick Talks with Matt Stinton about the craft of writing songs, removing barriers to creativity, and pursuing emotional & relational health as worship leaders. Matt shares from his own journey about redefining success & his huge heart for teaching others through The Songwriter’s Advocate online school.

Matt Stinton is a pastor & songwriter based out of Portland, Maine. His well-known worship songs include “Give Me Jesus” and “Who Can Compare to You.” Matt founded the online school The Songwriter’s Advocate and wrote the book by the same name.

MATT STINTON

Follow Matt on Instagram @mttstntn 

Follow The Songwriter’s Advocate on Instagram @thesongwritersadvocate 

Listen & follow Matt on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hpcX3zORb79qaPYgwkXbi?si=zi82_7-iRaqXhvw7v9IQkw

Learn more about the Songwriter’s Advocate online school: www.thesongwritersadvocate.com

MUSIC

Matt’s latest EP “Son of the Sea” can be heard wherever you listen to music.

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

The Secret Chord Season 1 playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0aaO0vKdZOy4RJ9ueaD5vg?si=7xlGspYmSNeoWrEXef-aDg

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

Nick talks with Temitope about the struggles of being in the “middle space” as an artist, his new “Meji” EP, and the beauty of embracing ourselves as God made us to be. Temitope shares about the peculiarities of growing up in America as a non-African American black man, approaching conversations with a heart truly bent toward Gospel reconciliation, and what it looks like to trust Jesus when we’re tempted to be envious.

Temitope Peters a songwriter, artist, worship leader, and social activist. He’s released several projects including his recent “Meji” EP. He describes his music as “horizontal worship” in hopes that it mobilizes the Church to love well, especially those that are different than us. Born to Nigerian and British immigrants and raised in San Diego, Temitope is a living embodiment of the idea of multiculturalism.

TEMITOPE

Follow Temitope on Instagram @iamtemitope 

Listen & follow Temitope on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2YrmP8ksRyeEVkzYp5to25?si=1cUu3_LgTtGnpPO_9AHy9A

Watch “The Reconciler’s Guide” series: iamtemitope.com/projects/

Follow the Lumpy Couch (formerly “Join the Family”) on Instagram @thelumpycouch 

MUSIC

Temitope’s new EP “Meji” can be heard wherever you listen to music.

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

Nick talks with Andy Squyres about his new record “Poet Priest,” creative sustainability, and “respecting the listener.” The two talk about Andy’s lyrical and musical influences for the new record, pursuing music as a family man, and what it looks like to have faith in a culture increasingly critical of evangelical Christianity.

Andy Squyres is a pastor and songwriter from North Carolina. In 2015 he released his first record, “Cherry Blossoms,” which was written and released after the murder of a friend, and the emotional and spiritual wrestling that took place in the wake of his friend’s death. His brand new album “Poet Priest” was released on February 25th to critical acclaim. Andy might be the “Christian songwriters’ favorite songwriter,” and he may or may not like Garth Brooks.

ANDY SQUYRES

Follow Andy on Instagram @andysquyres 

Listen & follow Andy on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1zs56l8qWxeDZ5aBAulSJU?si=PFBOPvSXSveSPwGsDg-rJw

MUSIC

Andy’s new album “Poet Priest” can be heard wherever you listen to music.

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

Nick talks with Jon Guerra about mining unique influences for worship music, illuminating God through creativity, and the honesty that comes from embracing creative “failure.” The two talk about Jon’s new record “Keeper of Days,” the peculiarities of growing up in the Christian subculture, leaving the traditional Christian songwriter path, and the philosophies of making sacred music.

Leave your favorite takeaway from this episode in the comments on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

————————

Jon Guerra is a singer, songwriter, composer, and musical jack-of-all-trades. Jon began his career as a member of Vertical Worship, released an album on a major Christian label, and then left the label to pursue a career as an independent artist. He makes music with his wife Valerie in a band called Praytell, and recently collaborated with Judah Akers (Judah and the Lion) for a new worship project. Jon also composed music for the recent Terrence Malick film “A Hidden Life.” Jon may or may not be an expert on MxPx and Blink 182.

Jon and his family live in Austin, TX.

————————

JON GUERRA

Follow Jon on Instagram @iamjonguerra 

Listen & follow Jon on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0T5EH22oyMja9UmN0Rz95o?si=1w4yan4QStORC8ujjNJXPg

Listen to Praytell on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/20QoRE4MEXGJpQwRktZ0LJ?si=gN7f6LmGSQKDTDoxWUVNEw

Listen to the soundtrack to “A Hidden Life” on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/1JyFpFS3gUIS5F5NCZRsk7?si=BSIol6dXTFa87d2p2NOovw

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

Nick talks with Maryanne J. George about her journey in music including Maverick City Music and her upcoming solo album. Maryanne shares about how her family shaped her pursuit of worship music, the heart behind Mav City, how to pursue healthy cowriting dynamics, and what it’s like to be a woman in a male-dominated industry like the music industry.

Maryanne J. George is a worship leader, songwriter, and vocalist best known for her work with Maverick City Music. You’ve likely heard her songwriting and worship leading on songs like “Such An Awesome God,” “Hymn of the Ages,” and “To You.” Maryanne recently led worship for Passion 2021, and is set to release a solo album in 2021.

Maryanne lives with her husband in St. Louis, MO.

Leave your favorite takeaway from Episode 3 in the comments @thesecretchordpodcast on Instagram.

————————

MARYANNE J GEORGE

Follow Maryanne on Instagram @maryannejgeorge 

Follow Maverick City Music on Instagram @maverickcitymusic 

Listen & follow Maryanne on Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3tvZTPy

MUSIC

Maryanne’s songs can be heard on “Maverick City Vol. 3 Parts 1 & 2,” “You Hold It All Together” & “Move Your Heart” (Maverick City Music & Upperroom), and “Housefires & Friends” wherever you listen to music.

Listen to all the artists featured on Season 1 of The Secret Chord on our Spotify playlist: https://spoti.fi/3cHiq5z

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://spoti.fi/3tDEvbs

Nick talks with David Leonard about the journey of his career including All Sons & Daughters, NEEDTOBREATHE, producing albums with The Creak Music, and his new venture as a solo artist. David shares some interesting memories of writing “Great Are You Lord,” what it’s like to bring an artist’s vision to life in the studio, and importance of not giving up in the music industry.

Leave your favorite takeaway from this episode in the comments on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

————————

David Leonard is a songwriter, solo artist, and producer best known for his songs “Great Are You Lord,” “All the Poor and Powerless,” and “I Will Wait.” As a producer with The Creak Music he’s worked with artists like Brandon Lake, Maverick City Music, Cody Carnes, and NEEDTOBREATHE. He’s recently released the albums “The Wait” & the “Open House Sessions EP” as a solo artist. David’s been nominated for Dove and Grammy awards, and may or may not have missed his calling as a manager at The Buckle.

David and his family live in Franklin, TN.

————————

DAVID LEONARD

Follow David on Instagram @davidleonardmusic 

Follow The Creak Music on Instagram @thecreakmusic

Listen & follow David on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2r9qoFx4EhGP8RYFQ4eMIE?si=KSeMnPc2QNuFjnOS8bp_Lg /

MUSIC

David’s solo albums “The Wait” and “Open House Sessions EP” out now wherever you listen to music

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

Nick talks with Josh Baldwin about navigating the world of worship, radio, artistry, and a love for country music. Josh shares the story about recording the “radio version” of “Stand In Your Love,” the gift of being your authentic self as an artist, and how his artistic choices have become more pastoral and pragmatic over the years.

Leave your favorite takeaway from this episode in the comments on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

————————

Josh Baldwin is a songwriter and artist with Bethel Music best known for his songs “Stand in Your Love,” “Let the Redeemed,” and “Evidence.” He’s toured with acts like Zach Williams, For King and Country, and as a part of the Bethel Music collective. He’s been nominated for multiple Dove and K Love awards, and has a super power for looking cool in nearly every photo he’s ever taken.

Josh and his family have lived in Redding, CA for the past several years and recently moved to Nashville, TN.

————————

JOSH BALDWIN

Follow Josh on Instagram @joshbaldwin

Follow Bethel Music on Instagram @bethelmusic

Listen & follow Josh on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2cB6hX2LI14KUTAevpaYn2?si=w1ud5q3LST2jZFL30KOPVQ /

MUSIC

Josh’s new albums “Evidence” and “Live at Church” out now wherever you listen to music

THE SECRET CHORD

For new episode info follow TSC on Instagram @thesecretchordpodcast

Theme music by Mountaintops: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7d4GxDYKKKb6wzu3tQIBrW?si=vCCkGo1KS3yuZTZuG-fe2Q

A new podcast about finding the harmony between faith, music, and industry.

New episodes every two weeks.

Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow us on Instagram @thesecretchord for new episode drops!