After more than four decades spent caring for the physical heart as a cardiologist, Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Mark T. Speakman is turning his attention toward another kind of healing.

Today, Speakman premieres “Universe Dreams,” a sweeping pop-rock single that draws from his Christian faith to explore identity, purpose, human struggle, and the enduring love of God. Produced by acclaimed guitarist Carl Verheyen and recorded at Stagg Street Studios in Los Angeles, the track pairs sophisticated musicianship with a deeply personal message about recognizing the meaning and value of an individual life.

For Speakman, music has always existed alongside medicine. Born and raised in England, he spent decades building his career as a cardiologist while continuing to write songs. A personal journey through depression eventually deepened his faith and gave his songwriting a renewed sense of purpose.

“I have a story to tell. I didn’t have one before, and I have a testimony,” says Speakman. “I want to reach people who are suffering or in discomfort with music and lyrics that bring comfort, solace, and hope.”

“Universe Dreams” takes its central inspiration from Ephesians 2:10, which speaks of people as God’s workmanship, created with purpose. Speakman expands that idea into a song about the possibility that every individual life has been intentionally written, known, and loved.

“To think of yourself as a poem from God, his workmanship may seem audacious but that is precisely what the apostle Paul states in his letter to the Ephesians (chapter 2 verse 10). Your heavenly father wrote a poem about your life before eternity began. He purposed a destiny for you to step into. This constitutes the theological basis to my song “Universe Dreams”.”

The song also considers the ways people search for meaning, often placing disproportionate value on achievement, beauty, status, or the people society chooses to celebrate.

“As humans we tend to over-ascribe value to the beautiful gifted anointed few. In reality our lives are each uniquely scripted events; we are known and named by a God who yearns for us to be gripped and galvanized by His love. This is how the Universe Dreams.”

That spiritual perspective is matched by an ambitious musical arrangement. Speakman’s writing incorporates adventurous harmonic structures, unexpected chord progressions, memorable hooks, soaring melodies, and layered vocal harmonies that recall the sophisticated sound of 1970s and 1980s FM radio.

The production of “Universe Dreams” was handled by Carl Verheyen, whose extensive career includes work with Supertramp, The Bee Gees, Dolly Parton, and numerous film and television soundtracks. Working with Verheyen and his band allowed Speakman to push the arrangement into territory that reflects his interest in intricate musical construction.

“This song was produced by Carl Verheyen and recorded at Stagg Street studios here in Los Angeles. I wanted a big interval vocal leap in the chorus , hence the somewhat jolting 5th bar over the G2 chord with the words “a star is born”. Such an honor to work with Carl and his band.”

While Speakman is still introducing himself to many listeners as a recording artist, “Universe Dreams” arrives after the release of nine previous singles. Together, the songs form a growing body of work shaped by his experiences as a physician, songwriter, and person of faith.

His approach to Christian music is rooted in traditional themes of hope and redemption while leaving room for sophisticated pop songwriting and personal interpretation. His lyrics can speak to human relationships as readily as they can to a person’s relationship with God, allowing listeners to connect with the songs from different points of view.

With “Universe Dreams,” Speakman ultimately returns to the idea that no person’s life is insignificant. The song asks listeners to reconsider their own sense of purpose and worth while offering a reminder that even during periods of suffering, uncertainty, or doubt, there can still be room for hope.