In this episode of the "Why We Sing" podcast, our guest co-host Aniya Hall sits down with two of Baton Rouge’s standout Christian rap artists, AV Mitchell and Calvin Brown (also known as 180 Slim). They dive deep into their personal journeys—how they got started in the Christian rap scene, the challenges and transformations they faced, and the powerful impact their music has on communities, youth, and their own families.Stay Connected:https://UCFMinistries.org/WhyWeSing / ucfministries Guest: AV Mitchell - / av_mitchell Guest: Calvin Brown (180 Slim) - / 180_slim Hosted by guest co-host, Aniya Hall - / aniya_hall23 Produced by: Joshua Simmons - / jsimmonsproductions

In this episode of Why We Sing, Candice sits down with our own, artist and educator, Rose Britten, affectionately known as Radiant Rose! We delve into creative expression whether that be through things like singing, music, dancing, spoken word. It’s an inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss!Stay Connected:https://UCFMinistries.org/WhyWeSing / ucfministries Guest: Radiant Rose - / im_radiantrose Hosted by: Candice M. Dixon - / candicemariecmd Produced by: Joshua Simmons - / jsimmonsproductions

In this episode of Why We Sing, Candice sits down with Melodie Simmons, Entrepreneur, Content Creator, and Worship Leader at Bethany Church. Tune in as we dive into Melodie’s journey of faith, creativity, and the heart behind her worship. It’s an inspiring conversation you won’t want to miss!Stay Connected:https://UCFMinistries.org/WhyWeSing / ucfministries Guest: Melodie Simmons - / melodieavilasimmons Hosted by: Candice M. Dixon - / candicemariecmd Produced by: Joshua Simmons - / jsimmonsproductions

In this episode of Why We Sing, Candice sits down with Victoria Armstrong, founder of Curate for Women and co-owner of 4th Floor Film Agency. Their conversation moves through topics of courage, overcoming self-doubt, and the journey of creating spaces for women to connect and grow. They touch on the powerful impact of music and how certain songs become personal anthems during different seasons of life. Stay Connected:https://UCFMinistries.org/WhyWeSing / ucfministries Guest: Victoria Armstrong - / v.armstrong_ Hosted by: Candice M. Dixon - / candicemariecmd Produced by: Joshua Simmons - / jsimmonsproductions

In this episode of "Why We Sing," we sit down with D'Lisia Lloyd, a singer and songwriter with a unique and powerful voice. Growing up in a musical family, D'Lisia discovered her love for singing at an early age, but her journey wasn't without its challenges. She shares her story of navigating the music industry, her moments of doubt, and the passion that keeps her singing despite the obstacles. Stay Connected:https://UCFMinistries.org/WhyWeSing / ucfministriesHosted by: Candice M. DixonProduced by: Joshua Simmons

In this insightful episode of Why We Sing, we delve into the journey of Nancy Armstrong, a psalmist, teacher, and recording artist with a powerful voice rooted deeply in faith. Nancy shares her personal experiences from growing up in a musically-inclined family to becoming a celebrated figure in the gospel industry. The episode covers her motivations, the challenges she has faced, and how her faith fuels her passion for music.

Minister, author, and rapper, Dr. Jameson Alston joins us on this episode of Why We Sing where we delve into how he started rapping, his call to ministry, his journey to using his gift again for the glory of God.

In this episode, Pastor Mark Ellis discusses why we sing at Christmas and the importance of music to this holiday season. We explore how the origin of Christmas music is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative where angels celebrated the birth of Jesus with songs of joy and praise. This has continued to inspire the tradition of singing during the Christmas season.