Creative. Single. Christian. Searching. If you've been in between any of those moments and wondered how God would use all your emotions, talents, and even your mistakes to help you tell your story and help others, Miracle Sims' story will ring true for you. Her tenacity and commitment to seek God's path for her life led to a fulfilling place where she found an avenue to minister to other young adults dealing with questions about God's love and perspective on intimacy, as well as being able to pu...
Jul 29, 2022•55 min•Ep. 192
How old are you? Say it out loud...remember that number... and now imagine giving that percentage of your income away. You might think that is crazy, yet that's exactly what Bob Lotich did when he felt a divine challenge from God...and now he and his wife are sharing the power of giving and financial wisdom with thousands of families around the world. In this episode, Bob shares the powerful testimony of getting control of his finances, tapping into the power of generosity and giving, and how he...
Jul 22, 2022•50 min•Ep. 191
Do you find yourself buried in a million things to do, wishing you had help in your creative life to keep things going? You may be at the point of switching from a solopreneur, one-person-operation to bringing on helpers, employees or freelancers to help you do the creative work God has called you to do. In this episode, you'll discover key mindset changes, specific tools, and steps you should take before building your creative team - whether that means hiring and employing people, or enlisting ...
Jul 19, 2022•12 min•Ep. 190
Are you struggling to find and keep your voice, so that you can land gigs, grow your income and achieve your creative entrepreneurial dreams? No matter what area of creative expertise you are in, your voice is a key asset in making your presence felt and your brand unique. Yet many creatives have no idea what a gold mine their voice is - but our guest, celebrity vocal health expert Ashaala Shanae does. In her second appearance on The God and Gigs Show, this dynamic coach, mentor and 7-figure cre...
Jul 15, 2022•45 min•Ep. 189
We're breaking down the misconceptions about the dreaded algorithm in this episode - not in an effort to go viral, but rather so that you can show up authentically on social media. The fact is, we need these social media platforms to help get the word out about our projects, but that often means playing by their rules - and providing content that satisfies the audience that hangs out in that digital space. So how do you figure out what works best for you and your creative projects, without getti...
Jul 12, 2022•9 min•Ep. 188
Ever feel like it's nearly impossible to make 'good' money from your music, creative gift, or artistic project? You're not alone - but thankfully there are musicians and creatives who have cracked the code - and the language of the code is the language of sales and marketing. If those words scare you, you're in the right place. Ayana Webb, a musician, music educator and digital course creator is joining the podcast today to help decode the mystery around sales, marketing, courses, ads and other ...
Jul 08, 2022•33 min•Ep. 187
Have you ever stopped to wonder if "social media" has stopped being "social?" As a creative, you thrive on community and collaboration, but more often than not, all you find in online creative groups are a lot of people talking about themselves...and not connecting at ALL. In this creative checkup episode, we're helping you end the constant search for online communities that actually benefit your career and provide real connections. These tips will keep you from endlessly joining social media ap...
Jul 05, 2022•12 min•Ep. 186
What's better than getting solid relationship advice from a married musical couple that performs together constantly? How about getting advice from TWO couples whom have enjoyed nearly 40 years of marriage combined - all while making a living as musicians, creative entrepreneurs and content creators? That's what you'll get in this episode, where we had our first ever summit between two married creative couples - host Allen C. Paul and his wife Lia Paul, and John and Ja'Nia Harden of The Harden P...
Jul 01, 2022•1 hr•Ep. 185
Every creative needs good graphics - but should you invest in hiring a professional graphic designer, or do it yourself with online tools like Canva? In this Creative Checkup episode, you'll discover the pros and cons of each option so you can make the best decision for your specific situation - whether you're just starting out as a brand-building creative, or you've already worked for years to create your online marketing persona. Links Mentioned in this Podcast Episode: Join our membership for...
Jun 28, 2022•11 min•Ep. 184
Gospel vs. CCM...who's right? Who's wrong? And does it matter? Today we're tackling this seemingly endless debate on whether CCM (aka Contemporary Christian Music) or Gospel (classic African-American church music styles) should be favored by musicians, and how creatives of all kinds should deal with arguments over "which style is better." Joining us to bring a real musician's opinion to this debate is Levell Hawkins, a producer, songwriter, arranger, singer, director and session musician working...
Jun 24, 2022•43 min•Ep. 183
Gas prices, shortages, rising interest rates...it seems all the economic news is getting worse every day. And yet, we as creatives have to find a way to stay motivated, financial sound and creatively inspired. How can we do that when life keeps telling us things are going downhill? In this creative checkup episode, you'll learn how to engage your most powerful defense against inflation and other economic pressures - multiple streams of income. While it may seem easier said than done, there's nev...
Jun 21, 2022•10 min•Ep. 182
When the bad news about our economy is getting worse...how do you keep your creative career moving upward and onward? According to John Mike, acclaimed producer, musician, clinician and creative entrepreneur, you must start by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone , stepping out in faith toward your goals , and making a commitment to bettering yourself through high-quality instruction and training . John Mike is a husband, father, entrepreneur and music producer who owns and runs educational...
Jun 17, 2022•57 min•Ep. 181
How do you handle the fear of taking risks as a creative - especially since that's a CONSTANT battle? After all, everything you do as a creative is generally a step of faith. So it makes sense that you need help breaking free of the fear of taking risks so you can operate confidently as a creative. In this episode we'll reveal 3 key mindsets that will help you overcome the fears you're facing as you decide to step out of that job, safety net, or position and into a new creative calling or projec...
Jun 14, 2022•14 min•Ep. 180
Can rejection, criticism and disappointment make you a better creative? Yes, if you ask producer, composer and drummer Jamal J. Moore. From working with Byron Cage at age 18 on his first major tour, to being selected to play on the Backstreet Boys "Unbreakable" tour, Jamal Moore has seen the heights of musical success. But he has also been challenged artistically and personally, and he shares those struggles and lessons with us on The God and Gigs Show. In this encore episode, you'll discover wh...
Jun 10, 2022•49 min•Ep. 179
Amazon Prime. Netflix. Burger King. What do all of these brands have in common? They all offer subscription / recurring membership offers. And they are just three examples of the thousands of companies who now make consistent income from memberships. As a creative, you now have unique opportunities and access to the tools required to start your own membership based around what you want to share, teach or curate for your audience. In this Creative Checkup from our God and Gigs 360 Q&A, you'll...
Jun 07, 2022•14 min•Ep. 178
Are you starting to wonder if your current career is actually a creative coffin ? No one wants their creative dreams to die while they work to sustain someone else's vision...and that's where our guest, Genesis Amaris Kemp, found herself after climbing the corporate ladder - and being knocked off of it - for 15 years before she stepped into a whole new role as a life coach, author and speaker. In this episode, you'll learn the mindset, motivation and methods Genesis used to navigate through a ch...
Jun 03, 2022•43 min•Ep. 177
Ever like you are on an island, all by yourself, when it comes to your creative community? Solitude may be good for a season when we're creating as artists, but it's not good long-term! We need connections and relationships to grow and enhance our creative careers, and we need solid people around us who will encourage our spiritual and artistic growth. If you're new to a genre, area or community, making these connections can be really challenging, especially if you're an introvert! In this train...
May 31, 2022•11 min•Ep. 176
How do you REALLY earn the trust of your clients, colleagues and audiences? What separates artists who are repeatedly hired and called back, from those who simply wish for respect from their peers and a reputation they can be proud of? Bassist and producer Chris Snowden is a perfect example of a musician who quickly learned the keys to being a trustworthy professional, and now enjoys a successful career as a sideman performing all over the world. In this episode, he shares the essential principl...
May 27, 2022•47 min•Ep. 175
Have you ever dealt with 'creative haters'? Those people who just look for the negative and remind you why your ideas, dreams or goals aren't going to be successful? That's already a tough situation, but unfortunately sometimes those people are the people who know us best - our friends and family members! In this Creative Checkup training taken from our God and Gigs 360 membership vault, we unpack strategies to help you insulate and protect yourself from negative voices inside your family and fr...
May 24, 2022•12 min•Ep. 174
Have you ever struggled with the questions of where to perform, how to perform, and why you perform as an artist or musician? In this episode, recording artist, vocal professor and author Julie Kinscheck reveals how her journey to faith in God led her to find her place in the music industry, and gave her the tools to help praise singers and other artists to excel when they step onto stages and platforms across the world. Singer-songwriter and guitarist Julie Kinscheck is a voice teacher, worship...
May 20, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 173
What do you do when you have big creative dreams but limited (or non-existent) finances? Many creatives give up on their dreams before they even get the chance to live, because they think a big stack of cash is required to make it as an artist. But that's a sad and unnecessary fate. The fact is that it doesn't take a lot of money to be wildly successful - but it does take savvy, sacrifice and resourcefulness. In this creative checkup excerpt from our God and Gigs 360 trainings, we share key mind...
May 17, 2022•13 min•Ep. 172
Every creative travels a winding path...but we don't always understand where we're headed, or how our story actually will turn out. Josh Kelley can attest to that...as his path took him from the pulpit to the local pubs as a professional bartender, and finally to a world of words as he fulfilled his desire to write a book and help others to do the same. Josh Kelly is an author, ghostwriter and editor who has been working for over 15 years in the literary industry. His first book, Radically Norma...
May 13, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 171
Have you ever told yourself "It's gotta be perfect"? There's nothing wrong with having high standards, but many creatives set unrealistic expectations, knowing they'll never reach them. This gives many of us what we feel is a valid reason to put off things that we're working on. But when perfectionism is a mask for procrastination and insecurity, our creative potential is going to waste. And someone is not given a chance to be blessed by your 'imperfect' art. In this creative checkup excerpt fro...
May 10, 2022•12 min•Ep. 170
True or false? Being a creative means you'll live most of your life broke, unhealthy, and in financial bondage to debt. Well, many creatives assume that the statement is true - because no one has ever shown them an example of someone who has achieved financial freedom from the grip of debt and constant struggle. Enter Jade Warshaw. In this episode, this passionate creative revealed how she and her husband Sam paid off an astronomical amount of debt (close to half a million dollars) while continu...
May 06, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 169
It's something every creative deals with - but no creative enjoys. The harsh reality of creative life is that we must face criticism of our work, and that's hard enough. But perhaps even harder is the act of providing honest critiques of other artists in our circle - because we fear our words won't be received very well. So what do you do when you have to tell a fellow creative something they don't want to hear about their work? This question was raised in our God and Gigs 360 Gold membership du...
May 03, 2022•12 min•Ep. 168
Making God-honoring life decisions may be simple, but it's never easy. Especially if you're a family-focused creative who has so many roles to fill...it can feel like the deck is stacked against you. If you focus on family, career suffers, and vice versa. But there's a better way - and Pastor Scott LaPierre has dedicated his life to helping Christians to find it. Scott LaPierre is the teaching pastor of Woodland Christian Church in Woodland, WA, an author, and conference speaker. He holds an MA ...
Apr 29, 2022•47 min•Ep. 167
Working as an creative can take you on a rollercoaster of emotions. There are times when business is booming, clients are calling, gigs are booked, and we can barely keep up with demand for our talents. Then, there's the opposite – when nothing we do seems to be moving the needle toward success. Not only is this a financial concern for many of us who rely on steady work, it can wear you down mentally, creatively and spiritually. It's hard to stay motivated when you don't see results. So, what sh...
Apr 26, 2022•13 min•Ep. 166
Do you feel that making a big impact with your creative gift is just too difficult these days? Not true, if you approach your life with a heart to serve and dedication to excellence - and there's no better example of this than producer, drummer, songwriter and entrepreneur Carlin Muccular. Having been awarded "top amateur drummer" in the country at the early age of 15 and touring with Grammy-winning vocalist Ledisi, Carlin quickly became a musician to be reckoned with. His talent eventually led ...
Apr 22, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 165
Every creative has a never-ending list of tasks piling up in their mind or in their notebooks. While there may be many things crowding up your to-do list every day... ....especially when you want to stay productive creatively... ....there's only 3 things you MUST do. How is that possible? In this creative checkup episode, host Allen C. Paul explains how 3 essential actions can ensure that you end each day fulfilled and feeling productive. If this encourages you, make sure to leave a review follo...
Apr 19, 2022•12 min•Ep. 164
True or False: Talent is all you need to succeed in today's creative industries. If you ask our guest, Meachum L. Clarke, he would most certainly disagree - and he has the experience and passion to back up his perspective that talent means nothing without embracing your purpose and some key principles. As a producer, worship pastor, gospel artist, vocal arranger and creative coach, Meachum has risen to the highest levels in the music industry and has become one of the most respected voices in th...
Apr 15, 2022•51 min•Ep. 163
