Episodes

Is it possible for you to successfully blend the worlds of entertainment, education, ministry and entrepreneurship into a fulfilling and lucrative career? Our guest Ashaala Shanae has, and she is sharing how you can do the same. For nearly 20 years, this pioneering recording artist, vocal health expert, performance coach and mentor has continually challenged herself to grow her career beyond the stage and the studio. She now works tirelessly to help other creatives to see the divine possibili...

Is passive income just another "get rick quick' scheme that Christian creatives need to avoid? Or is it a means to honor God, grow our influence and increase our income at the same time? We talk about the mindset, myths and potential benefits of passive income, and share a brand new program by best-selling author and Christian thought-leader Jordan Raynor (our guest from Episode 55) that he has co-produced with recording engineer and 7-figure entrepreneur Graham Cochrane. As you'll hear, this ...

When the music business was turned upside down by the 2020 pandemic, it wasn’t just the musicians who were affected by the changes. Professionals who support musicians and artists - lawyers, agents, and industry coaches - also found themselves having to find new ways to make a living while still helping their clients to cope with the massive changes. Somara Jacques, a South Florida-based entertainment attorney known as “The Latte Lawyer”, has dedicated her practice to helping musicians, artist...

Putting yourself "out there" is scary...but if you don't show up, someone will miss out on a blessing. And it won't be just you. It'll be the people you are called to reach with your gift, your art, your music, your presence. Creating live broadcasts that entertain, educate, or inspire has proven to be an essential tool in reaching your audiences, listeners and followers. But we often lack the confidence to do so because we fear making mistakes, being ignored, or not being perceived well by r...

What does it take to be a successful working musician? Is it all about being the first one they call for major tours and shows? Performing on the biggest albums? Or is it something else - something much more about mindset than music? According to musician, speaker, author, producer and creative entrepreneur Jermaine Morgan, it takes more to be a successful musician and creative than technical skill and the right numbers in your phone. As a veteran of the music business, and having seen the pin...

The O’Jays said it best… “Some people got to have it…” Yes, they were referring to money, but they might has well been referring to how we earn it. Discovering multiple streams of income has become a hot topic of conversation among creatives, especially since the pandemic disrupted our live performances, tours and other methods of making a living. Here’s the question - what exactly are these multiple streams of income, and is it truly possible for artists, musicians and creatives to build dif...

In this revealing discussion on The God and Gigs Show, Dre Marshall explains the essential mindset needed to  successfully promote and market your musical and creative projects, and breaks down the limitations and self-defeating tactics that will derail your success as a performing artist.

Is Facebook about to crush every musician who streams "musical experiences" as of October 1st? Or is this all a big misunderstanding? We're here to dispel some myths and help bring clarity to the entire debate on livestreaming on this massively popular social media platform. As an added bonus, entertainment attorney Somara Jacques, The Latte Lawyer, stopped in to help bring a professional perspective to the issues musicians face when covering songs online. Topics covered in this episode - The ...

Dwayne “Saint Orbin” Bennett, multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, producer and creative entrepreneur, has become one of the most respected and influential musicians in gospel, hip-hop, R&B and beyond. But he didn’t get there without going through the same struggles and frustrations that face every creative. Having worked with Yolanda Adams, Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell, Urban Mystic, Flo Rida, Cris Cab, KING/DNA MusicBoyz, Kanye West, Chaka Khan, Rick Ross, Trick Daddy, Miami Mass Choir...

What do you do when you’ve worked your whole life to become a mover and shaker in the music and entertainment industry - only to see that industry grind to a halt overnight?. Jeremy “DaConnect” Mills, musician, tour manager, bandleader and creative entrepreneur, has spent decades becoming one of the people to know in the music industry. By serving in diverse roles on major tours and within musical teams with artists like Jay-Z, Keisha Cole, Jamison Ross, Cory Henry, Tye Tribbett, Adam Blackston...

If you’re uncertain about your creative future, you’re not alone. The entire music and entertainment industry has been turned upside down, and even creatives who are strong in their faith are questioning their next move. When life seems uncertain, we artists and creatives have to take stock of things that are certain - our purpose, our ability to serve others, and our need for connection. Key Topics covered in this episode Why connection is so important to creatives who need direction and enc...

It’s a pointed question, but it must be asked... Who are you as a creative, and who are you doing all of this for? As we complete this series on the SERVICE steps in the God and Gigs book in this anniversary month, we reveal why investing in yourself, challenging yourself, and evangelizing via our creativity is just as necessary - if not more so - for faith-focused artists in 2020 as it was four years ago. As you explore these concepts in the light of a brand-new reality for artists, you’ll d...

When things go sideways in life...can you keep your cool and keep moving forward? The drastic changes that can alter our lives as creatives have never been more apparent. Cultural shifts, technological innovations and industry shake-ups are now commonplace. In order to stay relevant, we have to look past the temporary problems and find some solid principles that allow us to adjust our sails while still pressing forward with our creative goals and strengthening our most precious relationships. ...

Believe it or not, the value of your creative life can be determined by just one factor - the strength and quality of your relationships. Now that connections are fragile and social distancing has interfered with our ability to see people in person, it’s more important than ever to prioritize healthy relationships. In this refreshing episode, we look at four extremely important relationships that every faith-focused creative must pay close attention to… your relationship with God, your family,...

It’s fun to switch things up once in a while. For over 70 shows, we’ve interviewed top musicians, artists and creatives, but our host has never been on the hot seat himself to answer questions about his creative routines. In this special episode, singer, host and vivacious personality LaVie (lavie-music.com) takes over The God and Gigs Show in a conversation with Allen on the creative process, marketing your business, productivity and self-care, among other things all relating to the inner wor...

If you didn’t think maintaining your website was important before...you’ve probably experienced a rude awakening in the past few months. As creatives the world over adapt to the new realities of post-pandemic life, we’ve seen more than ever how much we depend on our brands and online platforms. While social media takes a major role, there’s nothing more effective than owning your own space on the internet. No matter what happens on social media platforms, having control of a well-functioning w...

It's not always easy to keep your head up, creative. Especially now. In the face of continuous negative news, uncertain economic realities, and confusion in the culture, Christ-centered creatives are in between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, we want to be wise and protect our loved ones from any possibility of harm. On the other hand, we are called to serve and push forward to help encourage and bless our communities and congregations. How do we navigate these troubling issues withou...

Can you get mad without going mad? In the proper context, anger can motivate us to react, to change things, to move in new directions. As creatives, our emotions are often the main catalyst behind our inspiration. But what about unhealthy anger? Can creatives harness this feeling and express it without harming ourselves emotionally? In this passionate discussion, we pinpoint the delicate balance between authentic anger and an unhealthy bitterness that eats away at the soul of the artist, and ...

Can God use the darkest moments of an artist’s life to guide him toward the path to true creative freedom and success? R&B artist Nate Setto, a rising young independent performer hailing from Detroit, has learned that letting God direct his career choices is the best route to finding his place in the vast entertainment industry. As a Michigan native, he grew up with a passion for music. He began writing songs when he was 7 years old and pursued a music career at the age of 20. His hard work an...

With a career that has spanned over 30 years working with the greatest entertainers and musicians in every genre, legendary musician and producer Kern Brantley is a walking and talking musical history lesson. From stepping into a studio with the legendary Aretha Franklin, to touring with iconic gospel legends such as the Winans family and Thomas Whitfield, to working with the most influential voices in pop and R&B over the last three decades, Kern has maintained the same approach that he had wh...

Got 99 problems? We won’t finish that sentence...but we think there’s one problem that plagues every creative. It’s the artist in the mirror. In this passionate discussion from one of our Creative Checkups, we dig deep into the mindset shift that can bring external problems into perspective - by making ourselves the focus of our problem-solving process. No matter how the industry changes, or how the culture responds to new challenges, we creatives have the power to change our circumstances b...

How does an independent artist go from finding her way in a new city, to performing with not one, but TWO of the biggest stars in the world? Singer, actor and songwriter Naärai Jacobs’ incredible story reveals the possibilities when you maintain your faith in God, prioritize your goals and work hard to pursue your dreams as a creative. Born into a musical family in Sarasota, FL, Naärai grew up surrounded by artists, and watched intently as her father ran a successful regional musical theater t...

As they say, the only constant in life is change. And for the artist and musician, change is something we’re experiencing more every single day. The big issue for most musicians, artists and creatives is the fear of how to handle the transitions that show up on our doorstep. Sometimes we feel the need to shift jobs, change creative approaches, or start new relationships. Other times, that choice is made for us. In either case, how we respond to transition makes all the difference in whether w...

Is it possible to maintain a healthy self-image and your artistic integrity in the entertainment business – and still make a living doing what you love? In an industry that often feels stacked against the independent artist, singer, songwriter and creative entrepreneur Maria Z has proven that you don’t have to sacrifice your authenticity or your emotional health in order to have a successful career. As an early adopter of the power of video during social media’s early days, Maria blazed a trai...