I’ve admired Ryan and Nikki Edgar for many years – even before they were on America’s Got Talent (*wink)! Their love for each other, their children, the Lord and music is refreshing. Listening to them sing is like a dessert buffet for the ears – rich, sweet and enticing.
Ryan and Nikki love investing in their three children: Jaslyn, Jordan, and Frankie and sharing their love of music with them. Follow them on Instagram and download their songs as soon as you can. And, while you’re at it, check out Nikki’s book (released in 2019) called All Things Beautiful: 31 Devotions for Single Moms birthed from that season of her journey.
I know that you will feel inspired today after reading this Q & A! Do enjoy it and then, before you go, please leave a comment of encouragement for Ryan, Nikki and this incredible family below!
Priscilla
- If you could describe this season of your lives in one-word, what word would it be? Why?
Reset. Going through a global pandemic changed so many of us. It helped us press pause and reevaluate some things in our lives. We figured out how to manage time better and even where we needed to be geographically. Because of this we’ve been more at peace. We’ve been sleeping deeper, connecting deeper, and resetting our lives. We realized we were on autopilot for a bit too long!
- In terms of your careers, before you knew you would be _______________, you almost . . .
Ryan: After getting a business degree, I had planned on going to law school. However, I never got to the law school part because I started touring with Israel Houghton in college. I loved the atmosphere so much; I couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
Nikki: I always had side hobbies and interests, but I never really thought about doing anything other than something in the music industry. I’m currently a part-time student working towards a Psychology degree, but even once I’m finished, I want to use my education to help creatives.
- In what ways do you two ensure that your career paths serve the purposes of God and encourage His people?
There’s the obvious service to the church ministry, but also importantly to us, we find that serving our community of people has helped us love God and love his church. We’ve been kind of a hub for creatives and friends. We love to have nights where people can be themselves, share the deeper issues they’re dealing with, and love them with friendship, food, and our time.
- Fill in the blank. We are not very _____________ people.
We are not very inactive people.
We are not good at stopping. HA! I guess it has its positives and negatives. After leading 3 worship services on Sunday mornings, we definitely take time to stop, watch movies, and eat lots of cheese. Other than Sunday afternoons, we are on the go!
- Name your biggest strengths and your biggest weaknesses as a couple? How has each served you as you’ve fulfilled your purpose?
Our weaknesses are in our communication styles. Ryan tends to be louder in his level of talking, and I (Nikki) can take that as being aggressive when it’s not. He grew up with loud talkers who communicated with a bit more intensity. I grew up in an environment where there was a lot of yelling and negativity. So even though Ryan isn’t communicating anything negative, it can be taken that way by the tone of his voice. We have had to do a lot of work and therapy to better understand this in each other, and in turn, try to understand how to best communicate. It’s saving us some arguments!!
I think our biggest strength as a couple is that we are both very forgiving people. We can definitely bring the heat, and marriage has not been easy, but we do a great job at putting things in the past and moving forward quickly.
- When is the last time you each laughed so hard that it hurt?
We have an addiction to watching Wheel of Fortune every single night. We cut up at the players expense and throw out one-liners for the entire 18 minutes. Most of the time we start watching the show after we’ve had a really long day, and we’re a bit delirious, so the craziest jokes come out and we can’t stop laughing!!
- What has been the most difficult season in your lives? How did your family get through it?
3 weeks after our daughter Frankie was born, Nikki had to resuscitate her because she stopped breathing. It was later diagnosed as SIDS interrupted or an ALTE (apparent life-threatening event). Nikki was already dealing with some postpartum anxiety, so this only further spiraled. There was some fear that crept in and hyper vigilance in making sure Frankie was always okay. Nikki had grown up with anxiety after watching her younger brother die of a rare cancer. This moment brought out some things emotionally, and she ended up being diagnosed with PTSD. After this happened, Nikki also had a run with some health issues that were life-treating as well, and everything seemed to start spiraling. We had to do everything we could to keep our other two kids going, but also suffering through so much that weighed heavy on our family and relationships. Our pastors at the time, Philip and Holly Wagner, were amazing and did so many practical things to help get our family through. We also had amazing therapy and friends that would pick up the slack so our kids could be fed and taken care of while we were in survival mode. God was there every step of the way and provided all the help and treatments we needed to get to the other side.
- If this were your last year on earth, what would you each want to spend your time doing?
Ryan: I would want us to go see the world and spend time experiencing new adventures.
Nikki: I would want to eat charcuterie boards and candy apples every day. I would spend every waking moment with my family and keep on creating.
- If you could make three wishes and there were no limitations on what you could request, what would you each wish for?
Ryan: Supernatural wisdom for me and my family, I want to be able to fly without wings, and to write songs like The Beatles.
Nikki: I wouldn’t wish for endless money because I find so much joy in working and progress. However, I’d love a beautiful mid-century house in Palm Springs, perfect health for everyone, and unity in our world. I don’t say these things like I’m in a pageant . . . lol! I really mean them.
- If you could tell your younger selves anything, what would it be?
Ryan: I would say, don’t date her . . . instead, learn music production!
Nikki: I was a teen mom who was so incredibly hard on myself. I took the weight of judgment and opinions and wore it like a staple clothing piece. My favorite quote is by Maya Angelou and she said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” I was so quick to judge myself so I would tell my younger self that I am so very proud, and that she is a good mom.
*These blog interviews are designed only to be fun, informative and introductory. GB Ministries has varying levels of familiarity with each participant so their presence here does not equal our endorsement of or full alignment with theological doctrine or political perspective.
