Nate Goodlet: For albums, I'm torn between Before Everything and After and Panic by MxPx. Before Everything and After brings a strong sense of nostalgia, because it was the first MxPx album I ever heard. But Panic stood out to me because it was so different from everything they had done before -- it showed a whole new side of their sound. My favorite song would have to be "You Make Me, Me." It's a pop-punk banger about finding a woman of faith, and that message has always resonated deeply with me.

Nate: I think a big part of it is that so many of the bands I grew up with are either still making music or have reunited. What was once just a music scene has really become a lasting community. And within that, there's this subcommunity of former youth group kids -- people like me -- who still connect deeply with those songs and what they represented in our lives. There's something special about still wanting to rock out to "Sadie Hawkins Dance" or old-school UnderØath. Those songs weren't just fun, they were tied to our faith, our friendships, and our identity. Coming back to that music feels like coming home, and it continues to inspire me both musically and spiritually.

Nate: Honestly, I'd rather be in a band. I miss playing with the guys in Terra Terra Terra and Summertime. There's something really special about the shared energy and brotherhood that comes from creating music together. Going solo has made some things easier logistically, but it's also shown me how much harder it can be creatively and emotionally without that team beside you.

Over the past eight years, I've been performing on cruise ships and have had the opportunity to travel to more than forty countries. It's been an incredible experience, but I've mostly been playing cover songs, and I've deeply missed performing my original music. Re-releasing my older songs under my own name was mainly done to make it easier for people to find my music, since that's the name I perform under on the ships.

That said, part of me wishes I had left those songs under Summertime. Even though it was my project, I couldn't have done it without Keith and Matt back in Nashville. Those songs represent a specific season of life, friendship, and creative partnership that I'll always be grateful for.

Nate: Right now, "Catalina" is just a standalone single. I do have an acoustic version coming out a couple of weeks later, which I'm really excited about because it brings out a more intimate side of the song. Beyond that, I've been writing and working on several new songs that I'm planning to release later this year. I'm taking it one step at a time, but there's definitely more music on the way.

Nate: Yes, it absolutely comes from a personal place. Performing solo on ships has been a blessing because, for the first time, I'm able to make a living through music. But at the same time, it can be emotionally difficult to sing cover songs every night -- especially songs like "Sweet Caroline" -- while feeling that deep desire to share the music God has placed on my own heart.

One day, I was on Catalina Island, and I decided to hike up a mountain with my Bible and a notepad. I sat there alone, looking out over the ocean, reading and praying. I came across Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you..." In that moment, I was honest with God. I remember thinking, "Is this the plan You have for me? Because I'm ready for the next chapter, if You are."

It was in that quiet place that I was reminded that Jesus Christ already has my story in His hands. That sense of surrender and trust became the foundation for the song. I sat there on the mountain and began writing, and "Catalina" was born out of that moment of faith, uncertainty, and hope.

Nate: At this point, I only play a few acoustic shows while I'm home. My schedule is a bit unconventional; I'm usually only home for about a month at a time, twice a year, and I spend roughly ten months performing on a ship. The first two weeks of being home are focused on vocal rest, and the next two weeks are dedicated to writing and recording new music.

That said, I do plan to eventually transition out of ship life, get a band together, and start performing these songs the way they were meant to be heard. I truly miss that energy and connection. It always means a lot when someone comes up to me on the ship and asks to hear one of my original songs. I've even had people remember the band I was in in Florida, Terra Terra Terra, almost twenty years ago, which is incredibly humbling and encouraging.

Nate: A verse that's been on my heart lately is Colossians 4:5-6 (ESV): "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."

This passage has so many real and practical applications in my life right now. I work with and meet people from all over the world, from different cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds. In every interaction, I'm reminded that I'm called to represent the love of Jesus Christ -- not just through my music, but through my attitude, my words, and how I treat people. I wasn't put on this earth to play music. I was made to worship God and share His love, and music is just one of the ways I've been able to do that.

I also think this verse speaks powerfully to the current climate in the United States. Things can feel very divided, and it's easy for conversations to become harsh or unkind. This scripture reminds me that our words should be gracious and intentional. Instead of wasting time arguing, we should be making the most of every opportunity to reflect Christ through both our actions and our speech.