More Than Musicians

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Lost His Daughter. Here’s What He Found | Jon Schmidt May 27, 2026

Show notes

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 Faith

9:04 - Turning His Life Over to God

15:22 - Praying Through Writer's Block

24:32 - The Power of Prayer Lists

29:50 - Trusting God in Small Things

31:15 - Finding Strength in Christ

37:00 - How the Piano Guys Began

50:06 - Piano Place Ad

55:55 - Music's Power to Heal

58:04 - Annie's Song Moment

1:03:48 - The Promise of Resurrection

1:07:21 - Michelle's Role in His Music

1:12:45 - Why Learning Piano Matters

CONNECT WITH JON:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepianoguysjonschmidt/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jonschmidtmusic

Website: thepianoguys.com

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIES

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN OR 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION CREDITS

This show is made possible byThe Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/

Production by Talmage Thayne with FilmLaab

Instagram: 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=106212904550005997752

If 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.

Lexi Walbeck | Come Back to Who You Are May 06, 2026

Show notes

A Message for Every Woman - “Come In”

What does it mean to truly know who you are — not who the world says you are, but who you were created to be?

In this episode, Sarah sits down with her lifelong friend Lexi Ogden Walbeck for a deeply personal conversation about identity, comparison, and the quiet crisis that so many women carry alone. Together they walk through the three stages of womanhood — maiden, mother, and matriarch, a framework drawn from the work of Elle Rowley — and explore why each transition can feel so disorienting, and how returning to your divine identity is always the way back. Whether you are a young woman still discovering yourself, a mother in the thick of it, or a grandmother carrying decades of hard-won wisdom, this episode was made for you.

Lexi Ogden Walbeck is a wife, mother of four, and co-creator of the True Millennial platform alongside her husband Parker. Known for her gift of encouragement and her deep faith, Lexi brings warmth, honesty, and hard-earned wisdom to every conversation she enters. Her original poem "Come In" — which opens this episode — serves as an anthem and an invitation for women everywhere to remember who they are, link arms with the women around them, and step fully into the life they were foreordained to live.

Musicians: Lauryn Judd, Mia Judd, Sydney Strong

From Encanto to Real Life: Adassa’s Story of Faith and Resilience Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

S1 E16 | From Encanto to Real Life: Adassa’s Story of Faith and Resilience

In 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 ADASSA

Instagram: @adassaoficial

TikTok: @adassaoficial

X: @adassaoficial

Facebook: @adassa

Website: https://www.adassa-official.com/

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIES

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN OR 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION CREDITS

This show is made possible by

The Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/

One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/

Production by Talmage Thayne with Film Laab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

Website: 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=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752

If 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.

A Journey of Motherhood, Music, and Faith | Jenny Oaks Baker Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

S1 E15 | A Journey of Motherhood, Music, and Faith

Jenny Oaks Baker has built a world-class music career—but her mission has always been bigger than music.

In this episode, she shares how faith, family, and a commitment to excellence have shaped her journey as a violinist, mother, and creator. From raising musical children to using performance as a form of ministry, Jenny offers a powerful perspective on what it really means to live a meaningful musical life.

SoulFill Music Foundation: https://soulfillmusic.org/

CONNECT WITH JENNY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyoaksbaker/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennyoaksbaker

Website: https://www.jennyoaksbaker.com/

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIES

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN OR 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION CREDITS

This show is made possible by

The Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/

One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/

Production by Talmage Thayne with FilmLaab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

Website: 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=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752

If you enjoyed this episode, please share it. It helps us grow! Thank you for listening and we will see you next time for another episode of More Than Musicians.

The Art of Playing, Not Perfecting Music | Kurt Bestor Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

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 perfected
The difference between the craft and the art of music
Taking leaps before you feel ready
How collaboration, failure, and fear shape true creativity
Why “playing” music might be the most important thing we’ve lost

Kurt’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=4f27459953d64334

CONNECT WITH KURT

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kbestor/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KurtBestor2/

Website: https://www.kurtbestor.com/bio

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIES

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN OR 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION CREDITS

This show is made possible by

The Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/

One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/

Production by Talmage Thayne with FilmLaab

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talmagethayne/

Website: 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=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752

If 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.

Sophie’s Story: Healing Through Music w/ Kent & Anne-Marie Barton Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

In this heartfelt episode of More Than Musicians, Sarah sits down with Kent and Anne-Marie Barton, parents of a deeply musical family, to reflect on raising children in a home built on creativity, faith, and sacrifice, and the legacy that continues after the sudden loss of their daughter, Sophie Rose Barton.

They share how music shaped their family, not just as a passion but as a language of connection, and how, after Sophie’s passing, it became a way to process grief. Through playing together as a family band and sharing music with others, they have kept her spirit alive.

Kent and Anne-Marie, who run a high-end home design company, brought their eye for detail and beauty into every Sophie’s Place location. When Steve and Barb Young of the Forever Young Foundation approached them, they created Sophie's Place, a music therapy center in Sophie’s honor with themes like “Music Changes Everything” and “Shine On.” Every detail reflects Sophie’s personality and her lasting impact on the world.

They also speak candidly about grief, the temptation to turn away from the hardest moments, and how true healing comes from facing it, leaning on each other, and finding beauty in the midst of sorrow.

Stay tuned until the end to hear a song from Sophie herself, a beautiful reminder that her music and spirit continue to shine through her legacy.

This conversation is a moving testament to the power of music to heal our souls and carry love through even the hardest times.

If you feel touched by this episode, please consider sharing. Our hope is to spread awareness about the resources made available through Sophie's Place and music therapy.

CONNECT WITH SOPHIE’S PLACEInstagram: @sophiesplacemusicWebsite: https://foreveryoung.org/pages/initiatives/sophies-place

CONNECT WITH THE BARTONSInstagram: @annemariebarton

CONNECT WITH SARAH DAVIES

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN OR 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION CREDITS This show is made possible by:

The Piano Place: https://thepianoplaceutah.com/

One Music Schools: https://onemusicschools.com/

Production by Talmage Thayne with Film Laab:

Instagram: 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.

Reminiscin' with Emma Nissen (Pt.2) | Being a Light by Meeting People Where They Are Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

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: @emsnissen

Website: https://www.emmanissen.com/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugTYWzLAuOwh1lE_ttySvQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DnRR6YVHXOJJ960ZKUzGS?si=BtVX_YmpRWqKbhaXxW1AzQ

CONNECT w/ SARAH DAVIES:

Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

TikTok: @more_than_musicians

Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN / 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION 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=sharing

If you enjoyed this episode, please share—it means the world to us! Thanks for listening!

Reminiscin' with Emma Nissen | Faith, Detours & Finding Her Voice (Pt. 1) Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

In part one of this two-part conversation, Sarah sits down with singer-songwriter Emma Nissen to explore the stories that have shaped her up to this point in her life.

From her earliest musical experiences to the moment an unexpected vocal cord injury redirected her path from opera to (later) discovering jazz, Emma reflects on how detours can become divine redirections.

That redirection ultimately led her to serve a church mission, where she began writing music for the first time. Emma performs her first ever song, “Gotta Have Faith.” She goes on to share the sacred story behind a mission anthem inspired by her late grandfather - living proof of the angels she believes are among us guiding us every step of the way. As promised, Emma also announces the name of her brand new album and offers a thoughtful perspective on faith journeys—likening them to building a home.

This conversation isn’t just for fans of Emma’s music. It’s for anyone navigating a faith journey, unexpected change, and the realization that we have far more similar than we are different.

🎧 Part two will drop 2/10 -- don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss a thing!

CONNECT w/ EMMA:

- Instagram: @emsnissen

- Website: https://www.emmanissen.com/

- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCugTYWzLAuOwh1lE_ttySvQ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1DnRR6YVHXOJJ960ZKUzGS?si=BtVX_YmpRWqKbhaXxW1AzQ

CONNECT w/ SARAH:

- Instagram: @more_than_musicians and @sarah.t.davies

- Tik Tok: @more_than_musicians Facebook: @more_than_musicians

LISTEN/ 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_Musicians

PRODUCTION 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=sharing&ouid=106212904550005997752

If you enjoyed this episode please share, it means the world to us!

Thanks for listening! See you next time for another episode!

Why The Process Matters More Than Praise | Marshall McDonald Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

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_Musicians

PRODUCTION 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!

Dr. Matt Townsend: Overcoming Traps of the Body & Mind Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

We spend so much of life trapped in our bodies—lost in the stories our minds love to tell us,forgetting who we really are.We scroll. We eat. We numb. We chase distractions, searching for meaning in all the wrong places.In today’s episode, my guest Dr. Matt Townsend reminds us where true, lasting inner peace actually lives—and how to return to it.As his daughter, I’ve been incredibly blessed to learn from him over the years. These principles have carried me through dark seasons, helped me out of stuck mindsets, and continually pointed me back to hope. I’m so grateful to finally share them with you.In this conversation, we explore truths that change everything:✨ We aren’t human beings having a spiritual experience—we are spiritual beings having a human experience.✨ The common traps of the body and mind, and how a simple shift in awareness can turn our hearts back to Him.✨ Our personal “scars,” and the powerful truth that Christ chose to keep the scars in His hands.✨ The advice Matt shared at my wedding dinner—and why peace never comes from where we think it will.✨ How music can become a sacred bridge that reconnects us to God in a way few things can.This episode is deeply personal, honest, and full of hope.If you’ve ever felt disconnected, overwhelmed, or longing for peace and belonging—this conversation is for you. Watch to the very end for a special musical guest and an opportunity for you to "get into spirit." 🎧 Watch here! And if it resonates, please share it with someone who might need it.Find more of Dr. Matt at https://www.matttownsend.com or on instagram @drmatttownsend

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