More Than Musicians

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.

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!

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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!

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!