Episodes

Decisions, decisions! Every day we are faced with a multitude of options on how to move forward in our creative and musical lives. Sometimes, the choice is easy. But often, it's not. How do you decide when it's time to try something new, stick with something old, or change something in the middle? The best way is to know your priorities before you face a new problem or opportunity. In this episode, we explore Step 2 of the Seven Service Steps, "Establish Priorities." This essential step will h...

Be honest, creative - are your spiritual, family and church connections as strong as they should be? If not, you're in for a rude awakening. Without solid foundational connections between you, God, your family and your wider creative community, you will find it impossible to maintain a successful, God-honoring and sustainable creative career. Staying Connected is the first of the Seven Service Steps - a blueprint for creative and spiritual fulfillment that we share in our flagship book, God an...

It's the worst feeling in the world for a creative...when you post or share something you've worked hard on, and no one seems to notice ! This issue affects creatives deeply and can quickly demoralize you, to the point that you give up on your God-given dream. In this creative checkup episode, you'll learn strategies that will help you to stay motivated and to keep sharing your creative work with the world! For complete show notes and more information, head to godandgigs.com/podcast! Want to ...

In this episode, you’ll learn how Brian Nhira maximized his moment on a national platform and built the foundations of a successful, faith-filled and family-focused creative life.

Is growth always good for the creative? It depends on the reason you want to grow. In this episode, we take a look at the mindset behind growing our reach and trying to make the biggest impact possible with our art and our creative gifts. By taking a close look behind the 'why' of our desire to grow, we can make sure that our motives are pure and that we honor our faith and calling even while expanding our vision. For full show notes, check out godandgigs.com/podcast. If you're struggling to ...

There's only two ways to learn...via education...or experience. In this episode as we mark the 4th 'podaversary' of The God and Gigs Show, host Allen C. Paul shares five big mistakes he made as a creative and entrepreneur beginning a new project. Many of us make these same assumptions as faith-focused creatives and artists, but they can set you back financially and emotionally - and you'll want to watch out for the warning signs. For full show notes, check out godandgigs.com/podcast. If you're...

In this special anniversary episode, host Allen C. Paul welcomes his wife Lia to the microphone to share their journey of entrepreneurship, with all its ups and downs - so that you can learn from their mistakes and remain motivated as you pursue your purpose. Find the full show notes and more resources for creatives at godandgigs.com/129! If you're struggling to decide if you're ready to be a full-time creative, this free workbook is for you! This impactful workbook will help you determine wha...

As a faith-focused creative, there are people that you are called to reach. But if you are not using the right methods, those people could slip right through your fingers. In this episode, taken from one of our God and Gigs 360 Member Calls, we explore how your approach to email marketing and social media can work together to create a powerful audience building strategy - one that helps you build a personal connection with those you are called to inspire, entertain and educate. Links Mentioned...

Before you can become a fully confident creative, you have to let other creatives pour into you. That's what happened with the God and Gigs book - which helped form the platform that now serves hundreds of creatives worldwide. Allen C. Paul, host and author of God and Gigs, shares three of the most impactful books that he read before writing his book - and explain how the takeaways from reading these classic books for creatives can still help you today. Books mentioned in this episode: The War...

How do you shift from simply trying to 'make it' in the music industry, to truly building a sustainable, lasting legacy as a creative and entrepreneur? Jazz musician, educator, author and creative entrepreneur Ulysses Owens, Jr. has found the key, and he's sharing it in this powerful interview, as well as in his book, "The Musician's Career Guide: Turning your Talent into Sustained Success." A native of Jacksonville, FL, Ulysses spent his formative years playing in church and local gigs, but q...

Are you tired of feeling like the copycats always win? From music to fashion and everywhere in between, it seems that imitation is more than flattery - it's good business. But it's bad for the artist, right? In this episode we explore the tension between imitating our mentors, teachers and iconic master artists, and becoming innovative and original artists in our own right. By carefully exploring each step between imitation and innovation, we can find the right balance where we can always rema...

Are you considering joining the "Great Resignation" of 2021? In this post-pandemic world, workers from all types of professions are deciding not to go back to business as usual. Instead, they are quitting their jobs and looking for better positions, more flexibility and more control over their time. Perhaps many of these workers could be pursuing creative dreams and goals, but are letting fears and the threat of another worldwide crisis stop them. In this episode I point out the question that ...

When you're building your creative or musical career, every connection matters - because the people you surround yourself with can either help you grow, or hold you back. As the God and Gigs community heads into its 6th year, we're taking the time to highlight the stories and experiences of our talented and inspiring members, who have embraced the vision and God-centered principles we've practiced and preached. One such individual is Tobias Tankard, Jr., a drummer, producer and songwriter based...

For the creative, church membership can be either an incredible blessing, or a tremendous frustration. While many creatives struggle to find a place that promotes both spiritual and creative growth, we can make the process easier if we identify the key characteristics that make a church a good fit for the creative lifestyle. In this episode we break down the 3 key elements that should be present in your church home if you want to grow both spiritually and creatively.

Can God bless your creative business through taxes? Yes, and this passionate and gifted business strategist has the knowledge and inspiration you need to transform your creative career and your financial life.

Is it possible for a music artist to overcome multiple childhood tragedies, build a massively successful music career AND reach a goal of financial freedom - all while never compromising their faith and calling? If you follow the example of Manafest, the answer is yes. Chris Greenwood, known in the music world by his stage name Manafest, is an award-winning Canadian Christian rock artist who has reached the pinnacle of success as a performer, songwriter, music industry coach, online entreprene...

There's nothing new under the sun...and that goes especially for musicians' often rocky relationships with their pastors and spiritual leaders. Thanks to a recently released video that went viral, debate is raging among musicians and leaders in many gospel churches about the professionalism and spiritual maturity of church musicians. We have a different response than those who point fingers at either late musicians or overly critical pastors. We draw insights from our previous episode guest Gr...

Many of us set up big goals at the beginning of a year or a season. But usually, sometime in the middle, we lose our focus and our motivation dries up. The thing is, before you can make choices on how to move forward, you have to remind yourself why you want what you want. But if you found yourself getting off-track from your goals, it’s not because your goals weren’t admirable or worthy. It’s because you lost touch with the emotional decision those goals represent. In this episode we reveal...

It’s one thing to be a creative who has a connection to God. It’s another to know why. If there’s any musician who is serious about knowing what you believe as a Christian, it’s Greg Johnson. With years of experience in music ministry, he has a passion for helping musicians and creatives to embrace an authentic relationship with God. Greg’s understanding of theology and ministry was a key element in landing his current role as the director of Music Ministry at Northview Christian Church un...

If you're a creative, you need an audience. However, in a noisy world where everyone seems to have a product and a platform, it's getting harder and harder to rise above the masses to reach those that want to hear from you. The answer? Creatives have to own the connection with their audiences, and the only tried and true way to control that connection is through an email list. Unfortunately, many artists get stuck at the very first mention of email marketing...so this training will provide th...

From a life surrounded by the arts, to being in the center of the entertainment world, and then finding her calling as a highly-trained and successful mental health professional - this is the journey experienced by psychotherapist, counselor and mental health advocate Dr. April Andelle. Having experienced the highs and lows of working in the creative industry, she now helps people to achieve better mental health through her practice, podcast and community resources. Dr. Aprile Andelle is a li...

The word "crazy" is no longer considered acceptable by most...but it seems to fit the way many creatives view themselves. At what point, however, does our creativity actually conceal serious issues that we should be addressing? Let's talk seriously about mental health and how we creatives sometimes cover it up with our 'personalities'. Links Related to this Podcast Episode: Suicide Prevention Hotline - https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ MusiCares Mental Health Awareness Resources - The Gr...

It’s easy to get excited about sharing your latest project, performance or product. But what do you share with your followers when there’s nothing to promote? In other words, what do you say day-to-day? Whether it’s via social media, your email list, or any other connection medium, we creatives have to consistently share moments and messages with those we want to impact - and not just when there’s something to sell. In this episode, you’ll learn why it’s so important to create a dialogue wit...

This inspirational artist relates with vulnerability how unforgiving the music industry can be on an artist’s self-image, and how she was able to find the freedom to be her true self and to embrace God’s unique calling on her life and career.