The God and Gigs Show | A Podcast for Christian Creators

We're turning back the clock to Episode 5 of the podcast to revisit our talk with  Warren Brown, multi-instrumentalist and internet personality, better known as the leader of "The Yank Nation."  With nothing except his family’s support, an engaging character and a willingness to take risks,  Warren harnessed the power and reach of video to become a major player in the gospel music i...

It's been said before, but it's true - it was the best of times, it was the worst of times. 2020 was a year unlike any other in history. The world saw change, tragedy, and opportunity on a scale not seen in centuries. Now, as creatives like us take stock, we have to make sure we carry the most powerful lessons with us, so that we can take on the next challenge with confidence. The God an...

[Authors Note: we thank you all for listening and learning about this great man of God and world-class creative,  as we honor the life and legacy of Parris. If you want to bless the Bowens family, please give via Cash app at http://cash.app/deeyon ] There are many outstanding, talented Christian creatives, but you won’t find a more authentic and earnest one than Parris Bowens.  As a gifted keyboar...

In this episode, we discuss three essential strategies that will help you personalize your social media marketing and grow your following the right way  - so you can truly become the creative you were created to be. We unpack creative online marketing in a way that focuses on the individuals that you are called to serve. What you’ll learn from this episode  Why you must see likes and followers as...

When it comes to starting and growing a successful creative business, many artists feel stuck between a rock and a hard place.  On one hand, they have a passion to pursue their creative gifts, and in the best case scenario, they want to make enough money to do so full-time. On the other, creatives often feel stressed because there never seems to be enough time to devote to their craft, or they fee...

As artists dealing with the rollercoaster ride of the creative life, it's understandable that we sometimes lose sight of the blessing of doing what we love. The difficulties of making money, finding work, reaching audiences, and maintaining our life balance can become a running soundtrack in our minds.  We continually face creative, social, financial and spiritual challenges, and if we'r...

What do you do when the things you are passionate about seem to be in direct conflict with your faith?  Christian yoga instructor Miranda Jo Davis has discovered the keys to living out her faith through her passion for yoga ,and her desire to help others reap benefits from this practice both physically and spiritually, even though the medium is not traditionally a Christian-friendly field.  As an...

Some people are all too happy to kiss 2020 goodbye. Should we as artists be looking forward to getting past everything 2020 threw at us? Or is there still some hope that 2020 can prove to be a year to remember in a positive sense? We're sharing some techniques to make the last two months of the year the perfect springboard to a blessed and abundant 2021 in your creative life!  Links Related t...

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 th...

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 ) t...

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 entertai...

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....

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 sk...

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 mu...

Is successful music marketing and promotion all just a game of luck or being ‘connected?” Is it possible for the independent artist to get the word out about projects without a ton of money or a huge team?  According to label executive Dre Marshall, any independent artist and creative can effectively market to their audience and promote their projects. They just need to employ the right strategies...

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 profe...

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,...

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 musica...

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 T...

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...

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...

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 tha...

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, m...

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 th...

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...