More Than Musicians

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/more_than_musicians/S1 E18 | Lost His Daughter. Here’s What He Found | Jon Schmidt What do you do when life turns upside down? In this episode, Sarah sits down with Jon Schmidt — pianist, composer, and founding member of The Piano Guys — for a deeply personal conversation about faith, loss, and finding hope in the hardest seasons of life. Jon shares the story behind iconic pieces like "All of Me," the miracle-filled and setback-riddled path to Piano Guys fame, the tragic loss of his daughter Annie, and how he and his wife Michelle have continued to trust God through each new trial, including the difficult health season Michelle is currently walking through. His message is practical, personal, and powerful: make a prayer list, turn quickly to God in the small things and the big ones, and trust that tribulation leads to hope.Jon Schmidt is a pianist, composer, and co-founder of The Piano Guys, whose music has reached billions across the globe. He is a husband, father, and man of deep faith whose life story is a testament to the power of partnership, humility, and choosing contentment over fame.0:00 - Jon's Family and Faith9:04 - Turning His Life Over to God15:22 - Praying Through Writer's Block24:32 - The Power of Prayer Lists29:50 - Trusting God in Small Things31:15 - Finding Strength in Christ37:00 - How the Piano Guys Began50:06 - Piano Place Ad55:55 - Music's Power to Heal58:04 - Annie's Song Moment1:03:48 - The Promise of Resurrection1:07:21 - Michelle's Role in His Music1:12:45 - Why Learning Piano MattersCONNECT WITH JON: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepianoguysjonschmidt/?hl=enFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonschmidtmusicWebsite: thepianoguys.comCONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIESInstagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.daviesTikTok: @more_than_musiciansFacebook: @more_than_musiciansLISTEN OR SUBSCRIBEApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-musicians/id1584874236Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EYojMS3Ns9cHXVLE6IhVc?si=43cc8fc8c86542caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@More_Than_MusiciansPRODUCTION CREDITSThis show is made possible byThe Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/Production by Talmage Thayne with FilmLaabInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/Website: https://www.filmlaab.com/HAVE A GREAT GUEST IN MIND? TELL US HEREhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG_Zp-4MoxFijfgAHuGmsXHEso-9v1-hg6n8CbghelJ2zelA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752If this episode moved you, please share it. Thank you for listening and we will see you next time for another episode of More Than Musicians.

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/more_than_musicians/S1 E16 | From Encanto to Real Life: Adassa’s Story of Faith and ResilienceIn this episode, we sit down with Adassa—best known as the voice of Dolores in Disney’s Encanto—to talk about faith, identity, and what it really takes to stay true to your values in a world that often pressures you to compromise. Adassa shares powerful moments from her journey, including hitting rock bottom, learning to trust God through uncertainty, and discovering that our hardest seasons may actually be the turning points in our story. This conversation explores resilience, motherhood, listening for guidance, and why success doesn’t have to come at the cost of who you are.Adassa is a Billboard-charting, Grammy-nominated artist and actress, widely recognized for her role in Encanto and the global hit “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” Beyond her music career, she is a mother of seven and a passionate advocate for faith-centered living, using her story to inspire others to find purpose, healing, and strength through life’s challenges.Soul Filled Music Foundation: https://soulfillmusic.org/CONNECT WITH ADASSAInstagram: @adassaoficialTikTok: @adassaoficialX: @adassaoficialFacebook: @adassa Website: https://www.adassa-official.com/CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIESInstagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.daviesTikTok: @more_than_musiciansFacebook: @more_than_musiciansLISTEN OR SUBSCRIBEApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-musicians/id1584874236Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EYojMS3Ns9cHXVLE6IhVc?si=43cc8fc8c86542caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@More_Than_MusiciansPRODUCTION CREDITSThis show is made possible byThe Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/Production by Talmage Thayne with Film LaabInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/Website: https://www.filmlaab.com/HAVE A GREAT GUEST IN MIND? TELL US HEREhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG_Zp-4MoxFijfgAHuGmsXHEso-9v1-hg6n8CbghelJ2zelA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752If this episode moved you, please share it. Thank you for listening and we will see you next time for another episode of More Than Musicians.

Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/more_than_musicians/The Art of Playing, Not Perfecting Music“Music to me isn't just notes. It's emotions. It's deep feelings. It's the space between the words. Music is not what I do for a living. It's who I am.”In this episode of More Than Musicians, Sarah sits down with Emmy Award-winning and Grammy-nominated composer Kurt Bestor. He is the creative force behind some of the most beloved music in film, television, and holiday traditions.From a childhood moment where his mother asked him to “play a sunrise,” to conducting at the Olympic Games, Kurt shares the journey that shaped not just his career, but his identity as an artist.This conversation goes far beyond music.We talk about:Why music is meant to be felt, not perfectedThe difference between the craft and the art of musicTaking leaps before you feel readyHow collaboration, failure, and fear shape true creativityWhy “playing” music might be the most important thing we’ve lostKurt’s perspective is a powerful reminder that music isn’t just something we do—it’s something that connects us at the deepest human level.If you’ve ever felt pressure to be perfect… this episode will change the way you think about music—and maybe even yourself.Listen to "Belle La Vie" https://open.spotify.com/track/6GnGyYfFF9urSHz7mGgo64?si=4f27459953d64334CONNECT WITH KURTInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbestor/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KurtBestor2/Website: https://www.kurtbestor.com/bioCONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIESInstagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.daviesTikTok: @more_than_musiciansFacebook: @more_than_musiciansLISTEN OR SUBSCRIBEApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-musicians/id1584874236Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EYojMS3Ns9cHXVLE6IhVc?si=43cc8fc8c86542caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@More_Than_MusiciansPRODUCTION CREDITSThis show is made possible byThe Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/Production by Talmage Thayne with FilmLaabInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/Website: https://www.filmlaab.com/HAVE A GREAT GUEST IN MIND? TELL US HEREhttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG_Zp-4MoxFijfgAHuGmsXHEso-9v1-hg6n8CbghelJ2zelA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752If this episode moved you, please share it. Thank you for listening and we will see you next time for another episode of More Than Musicians.

In part two of this conversation, Sarah and singer-songwriter Emma Nissen dive into the ways we show up for one another, love without assumptions, and let our light guide others along their journey. From playful moments of improvisation—where Emma scats using random words—to deeply reflective conversations about life, Emma shares her philosophy of "Live and Let Live" and the beauty of meeting people exactly where they are. The conversation culminates in a heartfelt performance of her song, Walking Each Other Home, a touching anthem about love, guidance, and the power of simply being present for one another.This episode isn’t just for music lovers—it’s for anyone seeking inspiration, encouragement, and a reminder that the way we show up in the world (especially online) can make a profound difference. 🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing!CONNECT w/ EMMA:Instagram: @emsnissenWebsite: https://www.emmanissen.com/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugTYWzLAuOwh1lE_ttySvQSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DnRR6YVHXOJJ960ZKUzGS?si=BtVX_YmpRWqKbhaXxW1AzQCONNECT w/ SARAH DAVIES:Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.daviesTikTok: @more_than_musiciansFacebook: @more_than_musiciansLISTEN / SUBSCRIBE:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-musicians/id1584874236Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EYojMS3Ns9cHXVLE6IhVc?si=43cc8fc8c86542caYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@More_Than_MusiciansPRODUCTION CREDITS:This show is made possible by:The Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/ & One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/Production: Talmage Thayne w/ Film Laabhttps://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/https://www.filmlaab.com/HAVE A GREAT GUEST IN MIND? TELL US HERE!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG_Zp-4MoxFijfgAHuGmsXHEso-9v1-hg6n8CbghelJ2zelA/viewform?usp=sharingIf you enjoyed this episode, please share—it means the world to us! Thanks for listening!

In this episode of More Than Musicians I sit down with accomplished composer and arranger, Marshall McDonald to unpack his story. Marshall opens up about how he navigates the creative process, the fears he’s faced along the way and some important life advice from his mom that we all need to hear. We discussed how Marshall has learned to let God guide his work and how he sees creativity as an act of faith that has allowed him to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Marshall tells a captivating story about his arrangement of Come O Come Emmanuel that he did for The Piano Guys and we discuss how important it is to remove ego from your creative work. I was so grateful for an opportunity to share with Marshall a special experience I had while playing one of his arrangements. This was truly a treat to sit down with someone so influential in my life personally. If you’ve ever felt stuck, hesitant to start, or caught up in the need for worldly praise or recognition, this conversation will inspire you to create with courage, purpose, humility and faith. CONNECT w/ MARSHALL: Instagram: @marshallmcdmusic Website: https://www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com/Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCgm1yeqZnI6xpFkTvpFBLMA?si=PPtKpLzhaC0D0hTz CONNECT w/ SARAH DAVIES: Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies Tik Tok: @more_than_musicians Facebook: @more_than_musiciansLISTEN/ SUBSCRIBE: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-musicians/id1584874236 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/4EYojMS3Ns9cHXVLE6IhVc?si=43cc8fc8c86542ca Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ @More_Than_MusiciansPRODUCTION CREDITS: Show brought to you by: Talmage Thayne w/ Film Laabhttps://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/https://www.filmlaab.com/ ARE YOU OUR NEXT GUEST? https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfG_Zp-4MoxFijfgAHuGmsXHEso-9v1-hg6n8CbghelJ2zelA/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752 Thanks for listening! See you next time for another episode!

What would you do if you woke up one morning and your body no longer worked the way it always had?While serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lindsey Tait Curtis experienced a moment that would change her life forever. She woke up unable to walk—beginning a journey that would eventually lead to a diagnosis of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), a condition that causes unpredictable episodes of paralysis and neurological symptoms. Lindsey never knows when the next episode will come or how long it will last, and the uncertainty has become one of her greatest trials.In this deeply moving conversation, Lindsey shares what it’s like to live in a body that doesn’t always cooperate, how grief and faith can coexist, and how she has leaned on God, music, and songwriting to process pain, fear, and hope. Rather than letting her limitations silence her, Lindsey has found her voice—using music as a form of prayer, healing, and testimony.This episode is an honest look at trusting God when answers don’t come quickly, when healing doesn’t look the way we expect, and when faith means continuing to believe even in the unknown. Lindsey’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and choosing hope—again and again. Lindsey’s original songwriting is featured throughout the episode, offering a powerful soundtrack to her story. Whether you’re navigating chronic illness, uncertainty, or simply wondering how faith can carry you through life’s hardest seasons, this conversation will remind you that even when the body falters, faith can still stand strong.

On this episode of More Than Musicians, Sarah welcomes Summer Adamson: wife, mother of four, author, and advocate. Summer shares her family’s journey after her daughter Jayne was born with Down syndrome—a diagnosis that, while unexpected, brought extra joy, curiosity, and compassion into their lives.Jayne plays a special musical number on the piano at the end of the episode. Don't miss this one!