Daniel-Tony Chakkramakkil, known as Prodigyl, shares his journey as a Christian hip-hop artist. Growing up in the Middle East to Syro-Malabar Catholic parents from Kerala, India, Prodigyl talks about how faith was deeply ingrained in his upbringing, but he faced personal struggles with identity and belief during his teenage years. His story unfolds from being a violin-playing child to discovering the world of hip-hop and rap, which allowed him to express his frustrations, emotions, and...

We sit down with Tony Manfredonia, a composer and singer-songwriter, to explore the deep intersection of faith and music in his life. Raised in a family steeped in church music, Tony discusses how his mission has evolved from creating secular works to using music as a powerful vehicle for bringing people closer to God. He shares how personal trials, including the tension in his marriage over starting a family, ultimately led to a profound spiritual awakening that inspired his music,...

G.L.O shares her incredible journey of faith and transformation through music. Growing up in San Antonio, Texas, she navigated life as a shy child with a passion for music, which ultimately became her avenue for healing and connection with God. After facing personal struggles and a significant loss, G.L.O turned to Christian hip-hop, discovering how to glorify God through her art. She emphasizes the importance of having a relationship with Christ and how her experiences shaped her ministry,...

Musician Josh Blakesley opens up about his life as a singer, songwriter, and devout Catholic. Growing up in Alexandria, Louisiana, Josh shares how his faith journey began in his teenage years, influenced by his mother's insistence on attending church. He reflects on how his faith and music intertwined, becoming a significant part of his identity. Josh discusses his songwriting process, often inspired by personal experiences and prayers like "Jesus, I Trust in You." He emphasizes the...

Fr. Maximilian Mary Dean is a priest-hermit who has seamlessly blended his deep spiritual life with his passion for music. Fr. Maximilian shares how his transition from a Franciscan community to a life of solitude as a hermit has only deepened his commitment to creating music that touches hearts and leads souls to Christ. He discusses his creative process, from waking up with entire songs in his head to drawing inspiration from Scripture and personal experiences. Fr. Maximilian's music, which...

Tiona Campbell shares her inspirational journey from a small town in East Texas to becoming a professional musician later in life. Raised in a deeply musical family, Tiona's early exposure to church music and her mother's influence as a singer planted the seeds of her passion for music. Despite facing personal challenges, including a difficult first marriage, Tiona's move to Houston as a single mother marked a turning point.  It was here that she rediscovered her love for music and...

Douglas Davila speaks about his remarkable journey from childhood revelations to musical stardom intertwined with spiritual awakening. Starting in Houston's East End, Douglas recalls his first encounter with music at a family barbecue, where he was captivated by a song that sparked his lifelong passion. Inspired by this moment, he pursued music fervently, starting as a trumpet player and later mastering the saxophone through the support of his wife.  As his musical career blossomed in...

In this episode, Wade McNutt shares his spiritual journey intertwined with his lifelong passion for music. He describes music as his way of experiencing God, emphasizing its powerful influence in his life and how he channels this through his career. From his early days studying music to becoming a teacher and producer, Wade has dedicated himself to nurturing others' musical talents, particularly in church settings. His creation of PianoChops.com and numerous albums, ranging from solo piano to...

Chad Hampton, a legally blind drummer and founder of the band "All Together United," shares his inspirational journey in this episode of Shalom World Podcasts’ ‘Beats’. Despite facing significant challenges after a life-altering injury during his military service, Chad found solace and purpose through music. Raised in a Christian home and deeply influenced by his upbringing in Southern California, Chad's passion for music was nurtured from a young age, eventually leading him to form his band...

In this episode, Will Hickl shares his journey of intertwining contemporary music with his faith journey. Growing up surrounded by music, Hickl's passion for it flourished during university, where he not only learned the piano but also started leading worship. He seamlessly integrates electronic elements like synthesizers and drum machines into his Christian worship music, aiming to create a unique blend of reverence and innovation.  Will Hickl, a multi-talented individual, is a husband,...

Abraham Salas delivers a compelling message of resilience and divine purpose. Throughout the episode, Salas articulates the profound belief that irrespective of life's challenges, individuals remain vessels through which God's work manifests. He emphasizes the enduring presence of a higher power and its active involvement in shaping human lives, urging listeners to maintain faith and trust in this guiding force. Abraham Salas has spent the last seven years dedicated to serving the Church as...

Meet Matt Lewis, a dedicated worship leader and elementary music teacher based in Houston, Texas. With a passion for music and a deep connection to his faith, Matt's journey has been a blend of personal reflection, growth, and spiritual exploration. In this episode, Matt shares his love for music from a young age, recalling how he first fell in love with playing instruments and later discovered a deeper connection to God through worship music. He discusses the evolution of his songwriting...

In this episode, we meet the Frye Family Band, a musical ensemble led by Tom Frye, along with his son Jonathan, daughter-in-law Maria Renee, and drummer Eric Reynolds. Despite not being related by blood, the Frye Family Band exemplifies the true essence of family through their shared passion for music and ministry.  From humble beginnings of Tom singing his own songs to the band's evolution with the inclusion of his children and other musicians, the Frye Family Band has grown into a...

Winston Cadenas, a musician, shares his journey from early experiences on the piano to finding his niche in acoustic praise and worship music. He recounts how his passion for music evolved from childhood aspirations of pop stardom to a deeper desire to share personal experiences through songwriting. Cadenas discusses the intersection of his faith with his music, highlighting how he integrates Catholic themes and messages into his songs to reach a diverse audience. He emphasizes the importance...

Carmen Mills, a contemporary Christian rock artist, shares her deeply personal journey of resilience and faith through music. Originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, Carmen recounts her traumatic early years, including being abandoned by her biological mother and subsequently adopted by an American veteran. Despite facing adversity, including struggles with depression and anxiety, Carmen found solace and purpose in music from a young age.  Her songs reflect her raw honesty about her inner...

Canadian musician Joe Zambon shares his profound journey of using music as a powerful expression of the Catholic faith. Zambon emphasizes that being Catholic through music is not limited to worship but extends to elevating and moving individuals by addressing real-life experiences. He discusses the integral role of his parents in shaping his faith and the early connection he made between music and healing during a childhood surgery, illustrating his deep personal relationship with God through...

Mike Mangione, a talented singer-songwriter, shares his musical journey and the profound spiritual connection he has found through his music. Growing up in Chicago, Mike was the youngest of three brothers and frequently engaged in sibling scuffles. Recognizing the need for a creative outlet, Mike's mother introduced him to drums, redirecting his energy towards music instead of conflict. As he progressed, he discovered his passion for songwriting and found inspiration in artists like Bob Dylan...

In this episode, we meet Michael Edmonds, a passionate Christian recording artist residing in Nashville, Tennessee. Michael sees music as a universal language that transcends boundaries, making it a powerful tool for reaching diverse audiences. He strongly believes that God intends to use music to connect with those who might not step into a church, making it his mission to be a vessel for God's message through his music. Michael's journey in music started at a young age, inspired by icons...

Gio, a 20-year-old Christian hip-hop artist from Boston, Massachusetts, shares his journey into the world of music. Gio's passion for creative writing from an early age eventually led him to explore music as a tool for spreading the gospel. He highlights a pivotal moment during high school when he realized that his musical talent could be more than just a hobby. Gio's experiences, faith, and desire to help others shine through his music, motivated him to pursue a career in Christian...

In this episode, PJ Anderson, a talented musician based in Nashville, shares his unique approach to music and life. PJ emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal connection in his music, highlighting his desire to create songs that carry deep meaning and can serve as prayers for those who listen. As a devout Catholic, his faith plays a central role in his music, and he hopes that through his songs, he can lead others to a closer relationship with Jesus. PJ's journey from writing...

Meet Ricky Vazquez, a talented recording artist and worship leader from Nashville, TN. Discover the soulful melodies and heartfelt worship of Ricky Vazquez, a recording artist and dedicated worship leader hailing from Puerto Rican heritage, now based in the musical hub of Nashville, TN. With a passion for spreading the message of faith and love through music, Ricky has spent the last 7 years leading bilingual worship at various events across the nation and around the globe. Ricky's musical...

In this episode, we meet Fernando Torres, a singer-songwriter and worship leader of Dominican descent from New York. Fernando's journey into music and worship began during a charismatic retreat at the age of 13 when he felt a strong calling from God. Despite lacking musical talent initially, he was determined to pursue his newfound passion for leading worship. With the support of his friends, Fernando and his group, Agnus Dei, embarked on a mission to spread the gospel and faith through their...

Michael Corsini is a multifaceted artist residing in northeast Pennsylvania; he shares his transformative journey of faith intertwined with his artistic endeavors. He vividly recounts his early experiences with religion, an initial detachment from faith due to family circumstances, and a subsequent encounter with a painting of the Blue Madonna that profoundly moved him. This encounter triggered a spiritual awakening, leading him towards a deeper connection with the Catholic Church, and...

This episode of Beats features Fr. Joseph Gill, a priest from the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut; we are introduced to the multifaceted role of music in his life and ministry. Fr. Gill's musical journey began at a young age, learning the piano from his father and even forming a band with friends during his youth. However, as he matured in his faith, he realized the transformative power of music in bringing people closer to Christ.  He shares how his music evolved from shallow themes to...