Hallmark viewers need no introduction to the wonder that is Paul Greene, and as I share my seventh interview with this uncommonly kind and dynamically talented human being, indulge me for one moment as I share a recent story connected with this interview. As many know, Paul is preparing to release his highly anticipated album, “Freedom For Your Soul” on May 8th (next week!). Being the avid supporter of all things Hallmark AND Paul Greene, of course, I had been following his journey. When he announced the possibility of this concert, I initially rejected the idea of attending. While I had dreamed for years of attending a “launch concert” and Paul is one of my favorite people on earth, I couldn’t reconcile attending this event with my normal, everyday life and responsibilities. Well, God had other ideas, and while I detailed to my Lord and Savior exactly why I could not possibly attend, He made a way where there seemed to be no way. I am honored to share this chat I had recently with a man who has become a dear friend and a true inspiration to me. (Note: All lyrics that are in blue and quoted in this article are from Paul Greene’s new album, Freedom For Your Soul.)

Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Starbuck/Alexx Henry Studios, LLC.

“I can’t wait to watch the sunrise on your face…”

RH: Paul, it is so good to chat with you again. How are you doing?

PG: Good to chat with you too, Ruth. Life is fantastic, thanks for asking. Watching the sun setting in Santa Monica…just can’t be a better thing to see this evening. We are quite blessed to have such nice weather here.

I would agree with that. In fact, I am looking forward to coming down there myself next week to your launch concert. I’m very excited about that.

I’m so glad you can come, Ruth.

I didn’t initially plan on coming, but God opened up the doors for me to be able to come, and every step of the way, He kept showing me this was what He wanted me to do.

That reminds me of something my mom shared recently. We just celebrated Kate’s {Paul’s girlfriend} birthday recently. I gathered a surprise book of quotes that people wanted to share with Katie. My mom wrote some wonderful words in that book for Kate, and she ended with, “May He {God} go before you to guide you, behind you to encourage you, beside you to befriend you, above you to watch over you, and within you to give you peace.” I thought that was a beautiful thing that my mom shared with Katie, and it reminds me of what you were saying about God opening the doors and guiding you in being able to come down here for the concert.

“Come now we can talk it out over…”

That is a beautiful sentiment and oh so true. I had all my reasons for not being able to go, but then I decided to set aside all the reasons why I couldn’t and just go for it. I think that sometimes people miss opportunities by not just forging ahead and doing things on faith. But I’m sure glad I took advantage of this opportunity and followed God’s leading.

I’m glad too. I think it’s going to be a wonderful time for all of us to meet up. I know there are going to be several Hearties that will be attending the concert, and it looks like we might all be able to get together beforehand. At least that’s what we’re working on. I would love for Katie and me to be able to connect with the Hearties who are coming along with everyone else.

I’m sure it will all work out. Speaking of your album, I want to thank you for letting me listen to it early. I was able to listen to in its entirety. I planned on doing other work while listening and just having it on in the background, but I was so drawn into it that I couldn’t get anything else done. I knew it was going to be something special, Paul, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.

Oh, that’s so great!

I’ve mentioned the album to several of my friends, including my mom. And these people then want to know the whole story, so I’ve been able to talk you and the album up a little bit.

I’m so glad you liked it. It’s going to be one of those albums where the intention was hopefully for it to reach people of all ages. It’s a throwback, but it’s still modern. It’s traditional, but it’s also different. It’s kind of like me. It’s not just one thing. And at the heart of it…I wanted the dedication to be to my dad as far as the content and the lyrics and even the sounds. My dad loved the electric guitars and the slide guitar.

“I remember when you took me by the hand
and showed me what it meant to become a man”

You know, Paul, when I listened to this album, what you’re saying is what I thought. The only way I could describe the album was, “That’s Paul Greene.” It is a perfect representation of who you are a person and as an artist. And the songs are just incredible. And they are very diverse and inspirational.

Well, that was what I was going for. Throughout the whole process, it kept evolving, growing, and changing. A couple of the songs are old songs, and a few of them are brand new. There’s quite a bit of excitement. When you work with different producers, you come up with new sounds. Our drummer was so good that he was able to lay down the drums all in one day. That was eleven songs in one day. And then we built off of that.

I have to tell you that it was such a beautiful experience. When I started the project, I knew I had a three-month cap, and so from start to finish was three months including everything. I gave myself a finish line, and I worked backwards and unfolded it milestone by milestone. And now we’re just at the point where it is about to be released, and we’re trying to find ways to get it on the radio. I recently released a single–“The Stone”–in time for Good Friday/Easter weekend.

“Woman, why are you weeping?”

I noticed that! I loved that video, and I thought it was perfect timing.

Paul Greene Credit: Copyright 2016 Crown Media United States, LLC/Photographer: Liane Hentscher

I thought so too. That song is definitely cinematic and pretty much directly from the Bible with the Mary Magdalene at the tomb with the angel and then when she sees Jesus.

“The Stone’s Been Rolled Away…”

I have been watching and reading all the interviews of yours that I can, Paul, and I was happy to see that you were releasing this single. I don’t always keep up with everyone as much as I would like, but with you, I try to always be on top of everything. From what I have seen in other interviews, you gave some good insight into that particular song.

I’m so glad you thought so.

I think the Hearties are going to love this album. I think some of the songs on the album are what I would call faith-inspired. It’s not like you’re preaching to them or anything, but faith is the foundation for several of the songs on your album. In fact, the song toward the end where you’re talking to God, “Dear God”…oh that song was just incredible!

“Dear God, it’s me again…”

I’m so glad you liked it. That’s an older song that we rebooted and did a lot of different stuff to it.

I also recognized at least one of the songs. “I Just Can’t Wait.”

“I can’t wait to wake up next to you.”

Yes, there’s that one. And then “A Place In My Heart” is another one I did for a When Calls the Heart video in Hope Valley.

Oh, yeah, that’s right! Now, I will say, coming from a musical standpoint, Paul, I really thought that vocally you were right on target.

“I’ve got a place in my heart for you.”

Oh, that’s right, you’re a music teacher, aren’t you?

Yes, I am. I was a vocal major, and I thought all your vocals were very strong. So I commend you for that.

Thank you. It takes something different when you’re making an album as opposed to playing live. When I play live, I have the guitar there keeping me company and rumbling against my ribs and helping to keep me in pitch and tone. When I’m singing, it’s so much about the rhythm and singing within the song, and the guitar really helps me. But when I don’t have the guitar, it’s a whole new thing I’m not used to. I’m standing there just with headphones on and just going for it. It’s really challenging to get used to singing without the guitar and hearing it go through the board and the console and then going back in, and you’re trying to bring all this natural rhythm to it. That was the biggest thing. It took some time to figure it out and get used to it. It took a lot of takes and a lot of patience and being kind to myself under immense pressure because our timing and our turnaround was so fast. But I learned a lot about myself.

With Tim Janis

“Let’s give this one more chance.”

What started it all was performing at Carnegie Hall. As you know, I did a film called Buttons with Tim Janis. You went and saw that, right?

Yes, I did.

Tim was the director of that film. But also for at least ten years, he’s done this fundraiser for Kate Winslet’s autism foundation in New York City at Carnegie Hall. At the end of our shoot, we were talking about music. I told him how I had done a cover of “Hallelujah.” I didn’t even know he did the thing at Carnegie Hall at that point. I just thought he was a director! But as it turns out, on YouTube, some of his videos have around four million, six million views of things that he’s composed.

So it was the road to Carnegie Hall and the experience of training my voice again and falling in love with that moment of getting the New Yorkers to sing “Hallelujah” with me. I got offstage and started walking down the streets of New York, and I was like, “That is one of the things in this lifetime that I am meant to be doing!” I got such a strong sign that I needed to be playing music, writing music, and creating and telling stories through music.

“Deep in my heart there is a craving”

That experience of overcoming some of the fear and some of the nerves that went along with getting in front of Carnegie Hall with a two-hundred person choir and a symphony orchestra…it was such a monumental kind of moment, you know, one of those big moments in your life. It was almost like a turning point that was life-changing. It reconnected me to my music. Then I went to Joshua Tree to a retreat, and my whole intention of the weekend and the time there was to connect back to God. By the end of the weekend, it was very clear that the way I was supposed to connect with God was through music.

“Fear not, My child, you’re not the only one, you will always be My son”

I think as we go through life, we discover different phases and different ways of relating to God. Sometimes you feel far from God, and there’s other times when you feel close to Him. Sometimes you feel like you’re supposed to wait, and then other times you feel like you’re in a desert. And that’s a little bit what this album is about. At this point in my life, how do I reestablish that connection with God that I had when I was younger? It’s different for me now because I’m a different person. God hasn’t changed, but I’m not the same person. Like if I were in a relationship with my wife or my girlfriend and ten years has gone by and I have never changed, that’s a dead relationship.

This album is also representative of how the lifeline or the communication back to God for me is music. And that all came as an unfolding for me through Joshua Tree, Carnegie Hall, and my father and his passing…this album is dedicated to my dad. And that’s how this album came about. It was that desire to be closer to God, but from where I’m at now. Not to go back and try to recreate what I had when I was young, but how do I establish that communication and that relationship and that partnership from exactly who I am now? And music is what did it. It was the bridge for me back to God.

“I’m only but a breath away…”

And exactly what you’re saying, Paul, is the message that came across. It’s a kind of journey that we get to go on with you in a way. The lyrics and message of the songs are so powerful. Speaking of that, I’m so glad we can understand your words! One of my pet peeves with modern music is that so often I can’t understand even half the words in a song! But I had no problem understanding your words.

(Photo by Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)

That’s good to hear. Part of the reason is that we had Jim Scott mixing it. He did my favorite Tom Petty album, Wildflowers. And he’s done six other Tom Petty albums along with just about everybody else you can think of. He is a legend in the mixing world.

Interestingly enough, the music we recorded at Reseda Ranch Studios and the vocals at Fourth Street was all recorded into a Pro Tools thing. But when we went in to mix it, it went into this old board that my dad would have really liked the sound of. It’s an analog board that’s used for mixing. So the voice goes in there through all these crazy channels and it goes out into the room into this big wooden box. In the middle of the wooden box is a big metal plate, and the voice sound wave vibrates that plate. And then on the other side, there are four mics picking up the vibration. And that is why the vocals sound like they sound because it was a room reverb. So it is a reverb built in a box that was analog, and it’s not like it was recorded digitally. I mean originally, it was captured digitally, but then it was all run through an old vintage analog tube soundboard. And then it was brought back into the computer. That’s probably why you can understand my lyrics so well.

Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

“Let it go, let it go, let it go, Freedom for your soul”

That’s really interesting, and it makes sense. Now, something I find fascinating–even though I know you didn’t plan it this way–your launch concert happens the same week that When Calls the Heart comes back.

{laughs} You know, that is serendipitous.

I was going to use the same word!

“I understand the plan”

Paul Greene, Hrothgar Mathews Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

That’s just the way it came together. In fact, when we booked the concert, we didn’t know when Hallmark was bringing the show back. Thank goodness we’re coming back on. Everyone can breathe a sigh of relief. It’s been quite a year for the Hearties. With the departure of Daniel Lissing and then all the stuff going on in the media now…there’s a lot of adjustments, and all of the Hearties have shown a lot of patience and understanding and forgiveness and kindness. Really, all the traits that make up what people love about the show is what is required to get through these couple of big challenges.

“I’m lost without you…”

I would agree. I was very impressed that they were able to bring the show back so quickly. And now, of course, it’s been renewed for season seven as well. I think we’re all excited and interested to see where the show is going.

Yeah, I think we all are. We all are curious to see how it’s gonna come together. I’ve been talking to Alfonso {Moreno}, the showrunner, here and there, and it’s been quite the experience. These stories were in the can, and now they were tasked with reinventing the story. And how do you do that? But he’s very capable, and there’s a lot of great stories throughout the season that have been written and rewritten. I haven’t seen or heard much of the rewrites, but I know that everybody there is doing everything they can to make it incredible, even in spite of the challenges.

“There is a river back home…”

Andrea Brooks, Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

You know it’s gonna be great. Definitely, it’s a bump to overcome for everyone, but resilience and everything I know that makes a family grow stronger through adversity is what we are demonstrating. And I have no doubt that we will all come through this stronger on the other side and more united than ever before. We know that it either does that or it breaks us all apart. And it doesn’t look like it has the kind of momentum to break us apart. Instead, it has a lot of love and a lot of healing, at least from what I’m seeing anyway.

Photo: Paul Greene Credit: Copyright 2017 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Ricardo Hubbs

I think everybody, including me, has been following everything very closely. And I want to pass along a compliment to you, Paul. I want to say that when this whole story broke, I realize and accept that some were unable to go to social media and post anything. It was tough because so many of us wanted to connect and try to understand what was going on and still feel like the family we had become. But you, Paul, were one of the first people from the show to say anything and to interact with the fans. It really helped to see you out there on social media still interacting and letting us know it was somehow going to be okay. So thank you for that.

Thank you, Ruth. I know it’s a difficult time, and it’s hard to know what to say sometimes. You’re always in danger of being misquoted online anyway, and of course, it’s happened to all of us. But this is a very hot topic, and so anything that is said can be easily twisted and turned against you. I’ve had that experience of people putting words in my mouth and people quoting their own opinion through what I supposedly said. It gave me a real taste of just how careful you have to be of what you say, especially in a sensitive situation like this. I don’t want to say anything that can be used as clickbait in any situation. But I also have to realize that at the end of the day, all I really care about is that one of our family members who I consider a friend is in a hard situation, and I want her to know that we all have her back. I understand everyone was under a lot of pressure and did the best they could.. And now we just have to go forward and know that we are a family and we will always support each other. All of us.

Kavan Smith, Paul Greene, Martin Cummins Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

“Waiting for some help from above…”

I love that way of looking at the situation, Paul. I think we need to remember that we are a Hearties community/family, and gossip does not need to be a part of what we’re about. It’s a tough situation for all involved, and all we can do is keep moving forward and take one day at a time. There’s nothing wrong with being a supportive friend. We all go through hard times, and it’s good to know that no matter what, we’re still here for the person. It’s better to remain positive rather than spread negativity.

“The wounds you would give me would be the ones that would heal me…”

Andrea Brooks, Paul Greene, Kavan Smith, Pascale Hutton, Kayla Wallace Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: David Dolsen

I agree with you, Ruth. And as we all know, no matter what, there’s always someone who’s not going to like what is said or done for whatever reason. It would be like living in Pleasantville if everyone was pleased all the time and had the same opinion. It would be a terrible world to live in. It’s okay to have opinions. It’s okay to piss people off. We’re always worried that people can’t handle opinions. Many people out there today just want to pander to the majority and not have a backbone. So many don’t feel they can state what they feel or mean because they’re afraid of backlash. But if we give up our free speech, then we give up being a free world. It can be mind-numbing when you feel you have to be so careful of everything you say. I’m pretty outspoken about a lot of things. If people don’t like that, I respect that. They do not have to like everything I say or do.

“Come now, we can talk it over…”

I tend to be outspoken as well, but I do tend to be cautious sometimes on social media since it can get a little crazy at times. But if it’s something I’m really passionate about, I will say it, and people can feel free to get upset about it. That’s just the way it goes. Now to your album. Where will it be available?

It’s going to be available everywhere. It is being distributed by a company called DistroKid, and they put it everywhere. My website will be kind of like the hub, but it is now available for pre-order on BandCamp. But it will be available on all the streaming sites such as iTunes. But be sure to check out my website because I’ll post all the social there. There will also be videos there, and while the album won’t be there to buy, there will be a link where you can buy it.

Will your album only be available digitally, or will it be available as a CD too?

It will be available as a CD for sure, but it all depends on a lot of variables. We need to see what the demand is for CD’s. There’s a company–CD Baby–and I should be setting up something on my website so that people can buy the CD. We are trying to gauge the interest right now. There’s a lot of cool album art and an image on the actual CD. It will be available both ways. I’m still working on possibly getting merchandise for the show. The album is called Freedom For Your Soul. There might be a couple of shirts or hoodies or posters, but that is something that is still in the works.

“Love like this must be written in the stars…”

I did find out recently that I have been asked to come back to Carnegie Hall this year. We’re talking now about what songs I will be doing for that. Also, there’s another show the 15th of June in LA at the Troubadour which is an insane venue! It’s pretty big and seats four hundred. I was asked to play there, so that’s another show in June that I’m super excited about.

Now, I understand that some of the proceeds from your album will go to charity, right?

“To know you were you there to pick me up when I fail…”

Yes, that is correct. A percentage of the proceeds from the album is going to Kate Winslet’s Golden Hat Foundation for Autism. And another portion of the proceeds will go to ALS.net. That was what we used for Art for ALS last year. The money that goes to that foundation goes to TDI–Therapy Development Institute–in Boston. So a percentage of the sales will go directly to those. I wanted to have that aspect to the album. It’s dedicated to my father who passed away from ALS. It’s kind of a full circle where I’m using the kind of music he loved to actually make a difference in the disease that I know he would have wanted a cure for.

“Now I think of you every time I Sing…”

Andrea Brooks, Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

That is just fantastic, Paul. So we have the CD coming out May 8th, and then the launch concert in LA for those who can make it. And before that, When Calls the Heart comes back for a special two-night event on May 5th and 6th. Things were getting very interesting with your character before we went on temporary hiatus. As I told Andrea {Brooks}, I was never on board for Faith and Carson to get together. I know some were pushing it big time. But you guys did such an incredible job that I was absolutely sold on your relationship during the last episode that aired.

“We both had miles to travel and traveled many miles…”

Well, you just wait. Things are just getting started.

“Our stories came along for the ride.”

I can imagine. I am looking forward to continuing the journey.

Yeah, it’s so nice that we got another season too. We have so many more stories to tell, and I enjoy working with everyone. Everyone there is family. To get a season seven is no small thing.

“I love now like I’ve never loved before…”

With Andrea

We are all really grateful to the Hearties for their role in supporting and helping this movement that keeps the show so popular. Man, has it grown! A quarter million more watched the first episode of the season than the year before. That’s a lot. Our Christmas movie broke all the records, and our season so far broke all sorts of records. I think there’s something bigger going on worldwide.

“When I’m with you, I remember how to play…”

Paul Greene, Andrea Brooks Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

The Hearties are definitely the heart and the soul of the series, but I have a feeling that the Netflix part of the distribution has allowed it to get to so many different countries. I think that has helped to fuel this movement. And what’s cool is people are still coming back to watch it on the Hallmark Channel ’cause that’s where those ratings are taking off. And since the other countries don’t have access to the Hallmark Channel, it makes us think it must be a U.S. thing. People watching it on Netflix and elsewhere doesn’t move the needle at all for the live viewers on the Hallmark Channel. And all this increase in viewers gives us the good rating and allow us to keep making these shows.

I know the Christmas Episode won an award recently.

Paul Greene, Kate Austin Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Henri Raynaud/Movieguide

Yes, it won a Movie Guide Award. I was at that award show, and I was one of the ones who got to receive the award.

Even though it was an edited version, Hallmark did show the Movie Guide Awards.

I never actually saw it. Was it cool?

“Though I know this day won’t last forever…”

Yeah, I enjoyed it. Some people complained that it was edited too much, but I was just happy to see some of our favorite actors and to see some of these movies that don’t always get recognized that are family-friendly and inspirational. I was so glad that the When Calls the Heart Christmas movie won that award.

I’m glad you got to see the show, and I’m so glad we won that award too.

I remember you also have a book you’re working on.

Yes, that’s right. It’s coming. My CD has taken precedence, and the book has taken a bit of a backseat in recent times. I have three potential publishing situations that could be really promising. One of the potential deals is a hybrid between self-publishing and more traditional publishing. They have great support. But bigger publishing companies take a really long time to get the book published, and then they take a significant percentage of the profits. So I’m really trying to see if it’s worth it to do big distribution or go a little bit smaller and build it a different way. It’s finished. There’s a couple edits and a lot that needs to happen. But I’m optimistic for Christmas of this year. But if not, then possibly Father’s Day of next year, 2020. I just didn’t realize publishing takes so long. It’s a new area for me. I don’t know what the devil I’m doing exactly.

“Lost in the treasures I found with you”

I know a little bit about publishing, and I know there can be a lot of variables that figure into everything. I know it can take a long time. But we’ll keep watching for it some point in the near future. Now, I know your album has kept you busy, but the fans are going to want to know…are you planning to do more Hallmark movies?

“I got a place in my heart for
you where you’ll be safe and sound”

Andrea Brooks, Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

You know, there’s been the odd movie that’s come my way. And when I’ve read it, I’m like, it’s not right for me or whatever. I’m very picky about what movies I choose to do. I mean, I did seven Hallmark movies in two years. I think I can slow down a little bit. If and when the right project comes along and if it’s the right fit for the producers and me, then that would be great and I would definitely do it. There are several projects that are in conversation that I plan on producing. But if you thought publishing was slow…try to get a movie made. You’ll probably end up having a few birthdays before you ever see it.

Kavan Smith, Paul Greene Credit: ©2019 Crown Media United States LLC/Photographer: Eike Schroter

I know what you mean. I think the person that schooled me in that was Kavan Smith. I know how long he worked to have his first movie come along. It was a good three years or so. I think I wondered for a while if it would ever happen, and I think he might have too. Personally, I think it’s very wise of you to be discriminating about the movies you choose to do. You can afford to only take projects that are the right fit rather than trying to force something that doesn’t naturally fit well with you.

“Let’s go back outside where the phones don’t ring and the birds they sing their song.”

My son is in high school, and I’m already gone for that big chunk of time when I’m filming When Calls the Heart. So if I’m gonna be gone filming a movie, it’s gotta be something that I’m in love with. My life’s plenty busy.

“I can’t get you off my mind, I think about you all the time…”

I have other projects too with nonprofits and fundraisers. I’m on a year-long communication training for developing leaders through Landmark Education. And this program has been one of the biggest experiences I’ve ever had. It’s a team management leadership program that has changed the way I do everything. With all these projects I’m doing, I start them out as a done deal and I work backwards.

And I have to have a team involved; I can’t do it on my own. So it’s forcing me to build teams and inspire leaders. I have to manage promises and learn how to not be a hero/victim/martyr, but learn how to unfold the project as a done deal three months in the future and hit milestones. You actually visualize and create as you unfold it. It’s a really cool way of doing anything because you’re never stressing and struggling to get from here to there. Instead, it’s a done deal and you’re like, “How did I get there? What are the steps I took?”

“Your Light burned bright in the darkness…so I could find my way”

And you know what I’ve learned this last year? A relationship to my calendar. Every time I get a request of time or anything, I put it on my calendar. I don’t have to-do lists. I give each task a scheduled time, and I’m learning how to look at my day in terms of, “Oh, there’s an hour to do that,” instead of looking at a to-do list and going, “Oh, I’ve gotta do that.” We all know that with lists, you’re never fulfilling those tasks or feeling satisfied. Those to-do lists never end. People can get results and not be fulfilled or happy, and now we’re being trained that the way to have a lot of accomplishment and fulfillment is to do it with others. To build teams and to discover a way of doing it that doesn’t have you be the hero, the martyr, or the victim. You are creating something that leaves a legacy and leaves people touched and moved and inspired to action to do something themselves.

“When you’re in Love, you can laugh about the weather, though you haven’t been outside in days”

With Kate Austin

Like to help cure ALS or cure autism. So I’m being trained in that, and there’s an option to do another year. I’m not sure if I’m doing that. So my time is well-spoken for. So when a movie offer comes through, I have to be very choosy just like everyone is. Everyone wants to be working on something they love with people they love. These films are around forever, so I want to make sure they’re good.

with Danica

You are so right. And so far, all the Hallmark movies you’ve done have been favorites. You’ve not made any bad Hallmark movies as far as I know.

Oh, that’s so sweet of you, Ruth.

“Though I know this day won’t last forever, forever feels like minutes when you’re with me.”

with Lacey and the cast

Well, it’s true. Honestly, there are Hallmark movies where I look at the title, and while I know I’ve seen it, I have to go look it up to help jog my memory. In fact, sometimes I have to watch halfway before I remember it. But yours are never like that. Your characters and the storylines are different enough that the movie is firmly planted in my mind, even if I’ve only seen it once.

with Candace and Ron Oliver

I’ve been very fortunate to be a part of the Hallmark movies I’ve been a part of. And I’m very pleased with them. And those movies are on there a lot. Danica {McKellar} always knows when they’re on. She shares and then I reshare when they’re on. She is a legend; I love that girl. I love my girls so much. Like Lacey {Chabert}, Candace {Cameron Bure}, Danica, Rachel Boson, Erika Christensen…these girls I’ve been privileged to work with. And Erin {Krakow} and Lori {Loughlin}…these women I’ve gotten to work with…and Danica twice. And Maggie Lawson was really fun and funny…it was two and a half years that I did all those films. I would be happy to work with any of these ladies again.

“Right from the start, I opened my heart”

With Erika

While it was a lot of time away from my son, I also have to be grateful that I get to have all this incredible quality time with him. I really do get a ton of time with my son. I’m like the luckiest dad on earth. I get more time with my boy than I think most dads do because I’m an actor. Sometimes it’s the best job ever. But sometimes it can be tough. We get paid to act, but it also involves waiting around on set and being away from our family.

with Maggie

To a degree, I understand. I used to be a full-time teacher, and I didn’t get to spend much time with my daughter. But with being a substitute teacher and also getting to do this writing on the side, I get to spend so much more time with her that I am not in a hurry to go back into the classroom full-time. And back to you and your family, all of us fans really enjoy the fact that you post a lot about your family and not just your professional life. It’s nice to get a glimpse into your personal life.

I have chosen to be extroverted on social media, and I decided it was better if I shared. And if the way I live my life has a positive impact on others, that’s just the best. I get dozens of messages from people every day thanking me for sharing something about forgiveness or being brave or challenging people to do something that makes them scared or whatever. And after you start getting so many of these in, you begin to realize that this is a really cool way to have what I’m doing for a career actually have a really positive impact and help make people better than they were before they read what I said or watched it or whatever. I don’t take that lightly. I don’t take the platform and the gifts for granted, and the miracle of it all is that I have this amazing job…two amazing jobs! I get to make music and film!

“Old things that cluttered up my thoughts of you are now nowhere to be found.”

Exactly! Now we just need to figure out how to combine those two things so you can make a movie where you get to do some singing.

Yeah, that’s one of the things we’re creating. There’s a really good one that will get made where a country music star has lost his way and one of our amazing Hallmark women come along, trying to write an article about him. But this amazing lady cannot locate him…it’s a great story. One of the writers who wrote for Disney for thirty years,Tarrit Transgaar, wrote that one. In fact, he’s one who wrote a lot of dialogue for Donald Duck and Daisy, so the dialogue that he wrote for this film is really strong. And that movie is one where I’ll get to play music.

I think you’ve mentioned that one before, and we are all looking forward to the day it does get made. Fingers crossed.

I would agree that’s it’s been a while since I’ve done a Hallmark movie, and I definitely agree that it’s time to make another one soon.

“You will always be here, You will always be near, no matter where I go”

I really appreciate your philosophy and your outlook, Paul. I think you’re going about things in the right way. Not every actor is committed to doing what you’re doing. And you continue to have a positive impact even when you’re not acting.

We’re human beings, and we tell stories. And you know, there’s a really exciting possible job that I can’t even talk about yet that would be the biggest change of all-time. It’s in the early, early stages.

“And I will not be ashamed, for my Savior knows my name”

Well, that sounds exciting. We’ll look forward to hearing more. And while I think about it, what about your short film?

France

Oh my goodness! Well, we’re waiting for this one part that’s a little bit frustrating. The very last phase is to have the music mixed, and the person who is supposed to do it is what we are waiting on. The short film has been finished for six months, and we’re about to change gears if it doesn’t happen soon. So that short film is another reason I’ve been busy. But it should be out soon, before Christmas of this year. It really depends on what festivals it gets accepted to because I can’t put it up online while it is doing the film festival circuit.

Oh, I know about that from my independent filmmaker friends. Well, we’ll look forward to when you are able to share it. We will hope that everything comes together quickly for you.

“For my life belongs to Him Who will raise from the dead again”

Paul {Greene}, Kevin {McGarry}, Erin & Chris {McNally}

I just want to thank you so much, Paul, for your time on so many levels. I don’t know if I always tell you, but you are always posting something inspirational and motivational, and I really appreciate that. You are so authentic, and that means a lot to me.

Thanks, Ruth. I really appreciate all your support too. Like the 2 Pauls In A Podcast.

Oh yes, I loved listening to those! It was so much fun to listen to those episodes you did.

I love that guy {Paul Campbell}. I think he’s awesome.

We’ll look forward to when you guys are able to do more of those.

I agree with you, and I’m sure we’ll do more at some point.

Well, this has been a fantastic time chatting with you, Paul, as always. Thank you so much.

My pleasure, Ruth. I look forward to seeing you and the other Hearties who can make it next week. And I hope that everyone tunes in for When Calls the Heart and enjoys the album.

“Gold and silver blind the eye, temporary riches lie
So come and eat from Heaven’s store
Come and drink, and thirst no more
So weep not for me, my friend
When my time below does end”

I am regularly asked about my favorite interviewees and even my favorite interviews on my site. While my typical response is “the last one I did,” there are certain people who stroll into your life and make an indelible imprint that forever changes you from the inside out. Paul happens to be one of those amazing people. I once told him that he has forever changed the way I view the name “Paul” (my ex-husband was also named Paul, and the name used to perturb me quite a bit, as you can imagine). His authenticity, generosity, and transparency consistently inspire me both professionally and personally, and I tend to think that almost anything he urged me to do (within reason, of course), I would do. I have a wealth of people in my sphere of influence whom I adore and support unconditionally, no matter the circumstances, without thought of recompense or adulation. However, Paul belongs to such a minuscule echelon of people in my world for whom my devotion and appreciation of their talents and persona extend far beyond the realms of the industry standard of support and endearment. There are no words within the English language (nor any language, for that matter) that can embody precisely who Paul is and has become in the time that I have known him. My paltry words cannot formulate a thorough portrait and tapestry of the diverse and rich essence of who Paul is. In fact, the best representation of this man for whom I hold nothing but admiration and respect is that of his upcoming album. In the words of the Danish author Hans Christian Anderson, “Where words fail, music speaks.” And in the case of this phenomenal man whom God chose to put on this planet for these fleeting moments of time, I cannot agree more. Paul has poured himself out in such a rich and beautiful way, and the experience of listening to “Freedom For Your Soul” is something that will begin to scratch the surface of one of the new wonders of the modern silver screen, the amazing Paul Greene.

I hope that everyone tunes in on Sunday and Monday (May 5th and 6th) to the Hallmark Channel or Super Channel Heart & Home for the return of Dr. Carson Shepherd in the phenomenon known as When Calls the Heart. Additionally, please consider visiting his links below in order to pre-order his new music album and keep up with everything he is doing, has done, or will ever do. While I have always had a deep and abiding affinity for Paul and his tremendous artistry and compassionate heart, the man he is now is an even more caring, generous, charming, affable human being who continues to place the needs of others before his own. He recognizes and celebrates the awesome career he has created for himself through the providence of his Lord and Savior, and the very idea that he is continuing to develop and mature in all areas of his life while remaining grounded in love, joy, positivity, and humility is something that thrills me to the very core of my being. I am not ashamed to state that Paul Greene is one of the most treasured people in my life that I am honored to know, and the fact that he has invited all of us to walk this arduous, exhilarating journey on this earth with him and be a part of the experience known as life is a sincere honor and a rare privilege. In short, to say I am grateful to Paul is the understatement of the century.

FOLLOW PAUL

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MY PAST INTERVIEWS WITH PAUL

Interview With Actor Paul Greene, “My Favorite Wedding”

Interview With Actor Paul Greene, “Christmas In Angel Falls”

Interview With Actor Paul Greene, #ARTforALS

Interview With Actor Paul Greene, “When Calls the Heart” & “Buttons”

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