Instrumental with Dave & JJ Heller

If you listen to my music, there's a good chance the first song you heard was produced by Ben Shive. The music he creates is undeniably beautiful, but the WHY behind it is perhaps even more stunning. If you need to be reminded of the purpose behind what you do, this episode is for you. Ben had so many wise insights that Dave and I literally wanted to cheer at several different points in this interview. ⁣ ⁣ Get out a pen, because you’re probably gonna want to take some notes! 📝 www.benshive.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

You know those people who just make you feel like everything is gonna be okay? Like a big ol’ hug for your soul? Our guest this week is one of those. ⁣ ⁣ Al Andrews is the kind of person who somehow validates who you are as a person while simultaneously challenging you to step into the potential of who you could be. He’s the founder of a counseling service for touring artists here in Nashville called Porter’s Call. His story is surprising, emotional, and powerful, and we think it’s going to be really difficult to not fall in love with Al Andrews after you hear what he has to share. ⁣ ⁣ If you need a reminder today of God’s miraculous ability to bring restoration and redemption, this episode is for you.⁣ www.porterscall.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

One of our most popular episodes! I’ve been listening to Sara’s music since 2004 and she’s been a HUGE influence on my own songwriting. She offers incredible insights about God and humanity in a way that’s disarming, beautiful and poignant. This is one of those episodes I want to listen to over and over again. www.saragroves.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Brad is the kind of person who makes you feel special just as you are while simultaneously making you want to be a better human. How does he do this?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ He is the genius behind Kid President, the writer of a delightful book called Becoming Better Grownups, and a source of inspiration and hope for millions. His comics are consistently featured in Magnolia magazine and he’s one of my absolute favorite instagram accounts to follow. Talking to Brad reminded me let go of cynicism and look for the good in the world. He’s on a mission to create stories that cultivate empathy and imagination in kids and former kids. If you’re looking for a Mr. Rogers-style breath of fresh air, this episode is for you. www.montagueworkshop.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Andrew Peterson has not only built an incredible career as a singer, songwriter and author, but he’s also cultivated an entire community of writers, artists and deep-thinkers through the Rabbit Room forum. Make sure to tell Siri or Alexa to play his album "Behold the Lamb of God" this month. www.andrew-peterson.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Ian Morgan Cron is a champion of the Enneagram, awakener of people, and bestselling author of the popular Enneagram book, The Road Back to You. As a pioneer in the contemporary Enneagram movement, Ian is a highly sought-after speaker for large conferences and corporate boardrooms alike. www.ianmorgancron.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

I met Max in 2016 when he took the photos for my Christmas album, Unto Us. He is one of the most intentional people I’ve ever met and he thinks deeply about the way he creates and invests his time. He helped create and produce the band Superchick before pivoting into a career as a photographer and filmmaker. www.jjheller.com/podcast

Justin is a gifted communicator, author, and songwriter. He’s one of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram because of his insightful reflections and thought provoking questions. In addition to writing and speaking, he hosts The @Sea Podcast with special guests like yours truly! www.justinmcroberts.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Jenny is a designer, writer and passionate advocate for community transformation, family preservation and orphan care around the globe. She and her husband are also the hosts of an HGTV show called Fixer to Fabulous. We know you're going to love hearing her story! www.jennymarrs.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Dave and I have known Jason Gray for over 15 years, and we're so grateful for his vulnerability as he shares his journey of faith. Known in the CCM community for his ability to craft thoughtful lyrics with rhythmic pop melodies, he has been providing listeners with inspiring and uplifting music throughout his award-winning career. www.jasongraymusic.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

We discovered Junlei Li when we watched the Mr Rogers documentary, “Won’t You Be My Neighbor.” The clips featuring him were so insightful and encouraging that we just knew we had to hear his story. Junlei serves the co-chair of the Human Development and Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. His research and practice focuses on understanding and supporting the work of helpers — those who serve children and families on the frontlines of education and social services. https://www.simpleinteractions.org/ www.jjheller.com/podcast

Amy Grant was highly influential in our lives as we fell in love with music. She became the first artist in Christian music to have a platinum record, and she’s earned six Grammy Awards, in addition to achieving 10 Top 40 pop singles over the course of her career. We’re so grateful that she took the time to share some stories with us! www.amygrant.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

With over 15 million books in print, it's safe to say Philip Yancey is a widely read Christian author. Best known for books like What's So Amazing About Grace, and The Jesus I Never Knew, Yancey's books often address the complex feelings we face when approaching the Christianity. www.philipyancey.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Kate Bowler, PhD is a New York Times bestselling author, podcast host, and a professor at Duke University. I stumbled across her Instagram feed several months ago, and I found so much comfort in the words she shares about suffering. At age 35, she was unexpectedly diagnosed with Stage IV cancer, causing her to think in different terms about the research and beliefs she had been studying. I hope her perspective will bless you as much as it's blessed me. www.katebowler.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Ellie recorded and toured full-time with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb and The Neighbors, for eight years before stepping off the road when her first child was born. She has released three full length albums, and two children’s books. She’s consistently writing, touring and performing while raising three kids with Drew in her hometown of Nashville, Tennessee. www.ellieholcomb.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Steve Taylor is a filmmaker, writer, producer and recording artist who earned his “Renaissance Man” stripes (Prism Magazine) from a body of work that’s garnered him multiple Grammy, Billboard, Telly, Addy and Dove awards and nominations. He's a masterful storyteller, and I know you'll love this episode! www.jjheller.com/podcast

Holly Christine Hayes was rescued out of a life of trafficking, violence and addiction more than twenty years ago and knows the path to recovery can be long and rocky. She is now an author, speaker, and the founder of Sanctuary Project. Holly’s mission is to bring healing and restoration and to help women everywhere to become the beautiful, inspiring individuals they were each created to be. www.jjheller.com/podcast

Brad is the kind of person who makes you feel special just as you are while simultaneously making you want to be a better human. How does he do this?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ He is the genius behind Kid President, the writer of a delightful book called Becoming Better Grownups, and a source of inspiration and hope for millions. His comics are consistently featured in Magnolia magazine and he’s one of my absolute favorite instagram accounts to follow. Talking to Brad reminded me let go of cynicism and look for the good in the world. He’s on a mission to create stories that cultivate empathy and imagination in kids and former kids. If you’re looking for a Mr. Rogers-style breath of fresh air, this episode is for you. www.montagueworkshop.com www.jjheller.com/podcast

Kelli Kelley is the founder of Hand To Hold. A non-profit in Austin, TX working with hospitals to provide premie parents with education, resources and perhaps most importantly, support and empathy. Being a premie mama herself, Kelli has a huge heart for parents who are facing the unique challenges and heartaches of caring for a baby in the NICU. Hear how she was able to use her own experience to give other parents the resources she wished she had during those difficult weeks and months in the hospital, and the months after that. If you had a premie baby or know someone who has, this episode is for you! www.handtohold.org www.jjheller.com/podcast

Ginny Owens was a very influential voice in my life as I was just beginning to fall in love with singing and songwriting back in college. I even learned to sing and play her song "Own Me" for my senior recital.⁣ ⁣ When Dave and I got the chance to write a song with her a few years ago, I was thrilled! Not only is she a brilliant singer/songwriter, but she has a disarming sense of humor and is one of the kindest hearts I know. ⁣ ⁣ Listen to this episode and be inspired by Ginny’s relentless faith, perseverance and positivity. I know I was! www.ginnyowens.com www.jjheller.com/podcast