Song Revolution Podcast – Season 3

Episode Title: CLARK BECKHAM: Micro Moments of Flow State

Hosts: John Chisum

Guest: Clark Beckham - American Idol Season 14 Runner-Up, Soul/R&B Artist, Educator, Host of Idol Breakdown

Episode Summary:

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026! Thank you for joining us for Song Revolution. As we gear up for season 4 we wanted to share just a few of our favorite episodes from 2025. Enjoy!

In this powerful episode, John sits down with acclaimed vocalist and musician Clark Beckham to unpack his journey from street performer to American Idol fame. Clark opens up about the highs and lows of the entertainment industry, how his faith shapes his artistry, and why he believes Jesus loves the complexity found in music—yes, even a flat five.

You'll also hear about Clark's passion for music education, the emotional weight of critiquing performers on his Idol Breakdown series, and why it's perfectly normal to not feel obsessed with your art every single day.

Key Takeaways:

Clark's honest experience as runner-up on American Idol

Why he sees music as a competition with yourself

The story behind "Jesus Loves the Flat Five"

How faith, love, and genuine care translate in the entertainment world

The difference between worship as a genre vs. worship as a personal practice

Why it's okay not to feel creative every day—and why you should keep going anyway

The purpose behind Idol Breakdown and how he handles criticism responsibly

Demystifying music theory through Clark's online courses

Quotable Moments:

"Excuses are just permission slips for mediocrity."

"God is the author of art. And when we express emotions through it, He's in it."

"You don't follow your passion. You work really hard to get good, and passion follows."

"Jesus loves complexity. He loves art. He loves the flat five."

RESOURCES & LINKS

ClarkBeckham.com

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