The Writing Worship Podcast - For Worship Songwriters

Christian songwriting veteran Benji Cowart shares from the 2022 Writing Worship conference about the power of lyrics. Benji’s experience as a working songwriter in Nashville has shaped his philosophy and creativity and unique perspective.  Benji Cowart is a staff writer for TIM (Tomlin Ingram Music) Publishing. He’s written songs for artists like Natalie Grant, TobyMac, Rhett Walker, Jeremy Camp,...

Chris Clayton shares about his years of experience as a producer, songwriter, and worship pastor. Because of his unique vantage point as a producer, Chris is able to speak into the writing process with depth and wisdom.  Chris has worked on records for Bethel Music, Big Daddy Weave, Shane & Shane, and Philips, Craig, and Dean. Chris’ recent writing credits include “Because of Christ” (The Belo...

Three hard-working Nashville songwriters - Natalie Layne , Rachael Nemiroff , and Rhyan Shirley - share from the 2022 Writing Worship Conference about their perspectives as female writers in the music industry.  Natalie Layne is an artist & writer for Centricity Music, who has a flair for incorporating her unique musical background into catchy CCM songs. Rachael Nemiroff is a staff writer for...

Stacey Willbur shares from her breakout session at the 2022 Writing Worship Conference. What does a publisher do, and how does it affect the worship songwriter? Why should a songwriter take care of their publishing?  Willbur is a long-time veteran of the music industry, whose career has included both Christian and country music. After working for a number of reputable companies in her decades of e...

Worship artist Patrick Mayberry shares about his experience as a writer and an artist, including how being a worship pastor for so many years shaped his approach to songwriting.  Patrick Mayberry is an artist with Centricity Worship, worship leader, and songwriter. His writing credits include songs with Passion, Rita Springer, Pat Barret, Mack Brock, and “Holy Spirit Come” as a solo artist. Patric...

Worship is breathing. Worship is living a life in communion with God every minute of every day. We were created for intimacy with the Father, just to Be with him. We are surrounded by a culture that is driven by productivity, but Chris and Summer Shealy of Shealy Worship want to raise up a generation of worshippers who desire more than anything else to just BE with Jesus. It’s out of this place of...

Stephen Brewster shares about fostering a culture of worship songwriting in your church from our 2022 annual Writing Worship Conference. Brewster is a leader, coach, creative, and developer of culture. Stephen is passionate about coaching churches and worship teams, the Enneagram, and seeing God’s plan unleashed in others. The Writing Worship hosts for this episode are: Eric Nordhoff Nick Morrow E...

Matt Lopez shares with our Writing Club about his experience working with Bethel Music, the nuances of publishing, and why publishing is important to the songwriter.  Matt Lopez is Bethel Music Director of Publishing Admin and Digital Rights. Having worked with the label for several years, Matt is passionate about creativity in the Church and using his gifts to see revival in this generation.  The...

Tony Wood shares his own story and practical songwriting tips from our 2022 annual Writing Worship Conference.  Tony is a veteran songwriter in Christian music. With over thirty(!) #1 hits, Tony is one of the most celebrated writers in the history of the genre. Beyond songwriting, Tony has a passion for family, teaching, and sharing the wisdom he’s gained from his decades in the music industry.  T...

Chris Cleveland shares with our Writing Club about his journey as a CCM artist, his songwriting best practices, and what “success” looks like in his own life.  Chris is the founder and lead singer of the band Stars Go Dim . He’s had success as both a radio artist (“ You Are Loved ”) and as a writer for other artists. Chris has a passion for authenticity in Christian music, writing and recording, a...

The Writing Worship Team is taking over the Brave podcast from now on.  In this episode, the team discusses the value of the Writing Worship Community to all of their lives.  And, we get to hear from acclaimed singer/songwriter and worship leader, Christy Nockels , who taught on “Writing From a Place of Rest” at our 2022 annual Writing Worship Conference.  Christy is a veteran in Christian music,...

In this podcast, Eric and Krissy sit down with Todd Fields, the creator of Worship Circle - an important resource for worship leaders. He shares how God has ministered to his own heart recently and is about to release music to share more of that part of his story.  We became fast friends and made an instant connection over coffee at the podcast table.  Worship Circle exists to let worship leaders...

Long time Brave and Writing Worship songwriter, Corrina Jayne, is gaining momentum with her songwriting and singing.  She shares her journey so far as an independent worship songwriter, worship leader, and Christian artist. You can connect with Corrina on Instagram , Facebook , and her website . Follow us on Instagram . Follow us on Facebook . Join the Brave Worship Community . Take the Songwriter...

One of the best ways to grow as a songwriter is to analyze a popular song to discover what makes it great. That's exactly what we're going to do this week - we're going to break down BLESSED BE YOUR NAME by Matt Redman using a valuable technique we teach in the Worship Songwriter Mentorship and in the Writing Worship curriculum, called Song Mapping. Emily Weeks and Krissy Nordhoff t...

We finish 100 episodes.  We look back and look forward with a bunch of congratulations surprises mixed in! Links mentioned in this episode: BraveWorship.com/Donate BraveWorship.com/Events SongBarn.com WritingWorship.co Follow us on Instagram . Follow us on Facebook . Join the Brave Worship Community . Take the Songwriter Personality Test This simple 10-minute test created by our founder, Krissy No...

Kevin Winebarger dedicates his life to helping Christian artists grow: spiritually, musically, and in ministry. He and his wife, Jessica, run Courage Studios out of Charlotte, NC, and serve clients all over the world. Many artists have bigger dreams than their discipline and bigger callings than their clarity on how to get there. Kevin leads his clients through an intentional, individualized proce...

Brett Perkins joins Eric for a conversation about developing a church worship songwriting culture.  We also discuss the challenges and opportunities that open up when releasing music as a church worship team.  ABOUT BRETT: Brett Perkins is a songwriter and worship leader from rural West TN. Growing up, sports and outdoors is all he knew, but over time music became a passion. For the past 10 years,...

Songwriter, Nick Morrow from Mountaintops Music , joins Krissy and Eric to talk about what it was like to pastor a church and lead worship at the same time.  And, what it has been like moving his family from Indiana to Nashville and this new season of writing songs full time.    You can also listen to Nick's podcast, The Secret Chord Podcast . Follow us on Instagram . Follow us on Facebook ....

Dave Taylor (80/20 Music) and Eric Nordhoff (Writing Worship Co-Founder) share the most important marketing tactics we can implement in order to have the greatest reach and exposure for our songs in 2021. We're going to focus on how to increase your song's chances for success on the streaming platforms (Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, etc.). you will learn how to promote your own music su...

Krissy talks with an up-and-coming singer-songwriter Katy Nichole  - In Jesus Name (God of Possible) - about the music she's writing and about to release.  Also, Krissy shares the Brave purpose statement and so much more.  This episode is jam-packed with goodness. Follow us on Instagram . Follow us on Facebook . Join the Brave Worship Community . Take the Songwriter Personality Test This simp...

Krissy and Eric talk more about the values of Brave and Writing Worship . Apply for the next Worship Songwriter Mentorship . Get tickets for the Writing Worship Conference - September 20-22, 2021 Caleb Holgerson with Worship Leader Coaching has a new book for worship songwriters, called House Music: Prompts For The Worship Songwriter .  House Music contains over 100 prompts for the worship songwri...

Krissy and Eric Nordhoff co-host this episode.  Krissy talks to the "girls" - Emily Weeks, Rachael Thomas and Stacy Riddle - about how the Brave EP Live recording went.  Go behind the scenes.  And, Eric interviews our VIP attendee and donor - Cheyne and Katrina Stilwell about what led them to support Brave during this season. You won't want to miss this episode - jam-packed with goo...

Krissy Nordhoff reflects back to 2019 and all the way up to present-day together with her "pillar" during this season - Amanda Blankenship.  2019 - 2021 was a season of travel (to Ireland) with Ray and Denise Hughes.  Also, listen to how God prepared us for the pandemic of 2020 moving our coffees and events online.  Hear about the tremendous growth of Writing Worship and the Worship Song...

Krissy Nordhoff reflects on the greatest season of growth for Brave through the years 2016 - 2019.  During this season a podcast and conference was launched. Brave embarked on mission trips.  And, the seeds of a curriculum, mentorship, and book were planted. And, sisters, Krissy and Maribeth Dodd reflect on their years founding Brave Worship, the Brave Worship Podcast, and Brave Worship Conference...

We go back to 2013 - 2016.  This is when Krissy first met Lani Crump - her "Pillar" for Season 2 of Brave. Listen to the stories of the early days as Girls Write Out meetings became more organized and consistent.  Krissy tells the story of Season 2 and then shares a recent conversation she had with Lani.  Will you consider giving to help fund new Brave Worship music?  Visit BraveWorship....