Creative Impact Podcast

I’m honored to be joined by mentor and friend, Anthony Gurley, for episode 120. Anthony spent thirty years at his alma mater, Guilford College, as the Director of Financial Aid, retiring in 2009. He recently published his first book, Deadly Dilemma: A Memoir. I originally met Anthony through a scholarship and mentorship program he founded called Mo-T-Vation Ministry.

Anthony would describe himself as just an ordinary guy with a story to tell, and I am so grateful that he has recorded his story in his new memoir. In Deadly Dilemma, Anthony unsparingly opens the doors to his journey in the hope that others might find a path to confronting their struggles and failures, and in the process, discover their life-saving answers to that bigger question. Are those moments of victory and success, happiness and joy, and peaks of cherishable memories sufficient in number, scope, magnitude, and frequency to outweigh the valleys of failure, disappointments,  fear, and isolation, that often color the landscape of life?

In our conversation we talk about what led Anthony to write Deadly Dilemma, and the power of reflecting on our own stories. Anthony shares the importance of Friends, Choices, and Consequences in life, and why it is critical to find our Anchors. May Anthony’s story encourage you today!

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com!  You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

We are kicking off December with this fun and rich conversation with my new friend, Gabe Baker! Gabe is a singer/songwriter and cellist who is currently on tour with Grammy-winning group For King + Country. Their “A Drummer Boy” Christmas tour is happening now, and if you happen to be near one of the cities included in the tour - I highly recommend you check it out!

Gabe is a former college football athlete, has worked as as civil engineer and government policy strategist, has appeared on multiple television platforms such as NBC’s “American Ninja Warrior,” Netflix’s “The Ultimate Beastmaster,” & “The Bachelor: Listen To Your Heart”, and is currently living in Nashville and working on a variety of collaborative projects as a musician, singer-songwriter, and storyteller.

I was so inspired hearing Gabe share about how faith has been the through-line in his journey.  We cover a range of topics such as identity, community, goal setting, and stewarding a platform with authenticity and purpose.

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com!  You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am honored to have Keith and Kathy Thibodeaux joining me for part eight of this series! Keith and Kathy are the Founders and Directors of Ballet Magnificat!, an arts organization dedicated to presenting the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world.

Kathy was born in Memphis, TN, but trained and has lived in Jackson, MS, most of her life. She went on to become one of the first contracted dancers for the Jackson Ballet Company (Ballet Mississippi) under the direction of Thalia Mara, dancing as principal until 1986. In 1982, Kathy was awarded a silver medal for her performance at the II USA International Ballet Competition (IBC), where she premiered her solo piece, “We Shall Behold Him.” Her desire to use her God-given talent of dance to share her faith in Jesus Christ led Kathy to resign from Ballet Mississippi and found her own company, Ballet Magnificat!, in 1986.

Keith is the former child entertainer best known as “Little Ricky” on the I Love Lucy television series and Johnny Paul Jason on The Andy Griffith Show. He was a drummer for the rock band David and the Giants which later became a groundbreaking Christian rock band, with Keith becoming a Christian in 1974. Keith shares about the dramatic life transformation he experienced–from hitting rock bottom to discovering fullness of life in Jesus.

Together, Keith and Kathy have taken steps of faith, trusting God along their adventurous journey! Since founding Ballet Magnificat! in 1986, the organization has grown to include a Trainee Program, a School of the Arts, and most recently Ballet Magnificat! Brazil. I loved hearing about some of the pivotal moments for Keith and Kathy, lessons they’ve learned in leadership, and how God has sustained them over the years. We also chat about the impact of dance across cultures. Get ready to be inspired by their incredible journey of faith!

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com!  You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. For part seven of this series, I am so excited to introduce you to Chelsea Dawn! Chelsea serves on the global and regional arts faculty with the University of the Nations for Youth WIth A Mission (YWAM) and hosts the new dance and faith podcast called Dance & The Sacred.

Originally from New Mexico, USA, Chelsea currently lives in San José, Costa Rica, where she has been working to develop the University of the Nations’ undergraduate dance degree program with YWAM. Chelsea has 24 years of experience in choreography and performance, as well as 20 years teaching classes and workshops throughout the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica.

In our conversation, Chelsea shares about her own eclectic dance journey and how she has seen God open doors time after time. We chat about seasons of change, sensing God’s guidance, and maintaining a posture of gratitude and wonder as artists. I loved hearing Chelsea’s stories of witnessing dance create space for healing, connection, and life transformation!

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com!  You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with Jeff and Natalie Lewis of Arrows International for part six of this series! Jeff and Natalie Lewis are the Founders and Directors of Arrows International, which is a full time training program and dance company, based in Oklahoma, designed to nurture, disciple, and prepare trained artists to go out as ambassadors of Christ. They train dancers to use their gifts and talents to bring hope, joy, and healing in our cities, states and nations.

Both Jeff and Natalie have a variety of professional experience in dance including television, theatre, concert tours, conventions, international ministry, and more! As pastors, mentors, motivational speakers, choreographers, instructors, and ministers of the gospel, Jeff and Natalie have a heart for pouring into the next generation of artists.

In our conversation, Jeff and Natalie share their incredible journeys and the way that God redeems situations we can’t fully understand to bring healing, life, and beauty. We chat about what it looks like to build for generational impact, how the arts open hearts across cultures, and being faithful to follow through when God says to go. I am so encouraged by their stories of faith and their encouragement that we are in a season of momentum and open doors to bring the hope of the Kingdom of God to all those we encounter. May you be inspired to run with vision in the calling God has on your life!

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com!  You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. It is an honor to connect with Jeremiah and Mona Enna for part five of this series!

Jeremiah and Mona Enna are the Co-Founders of The Culture House in Kansas City. The Culture House is an award winning community arts organization succeeding in excellence, education, and social engagement. The Culture House includes The Culture House Academy of the Performing Arts with over 700 students, world-class dance company Störling Dance Theater is in residency at TCH, and their social outreach program, The STAR Program serves hundreds of incarcerated and at-risk children and youth each year. Störling Conservatory of the Arts, an accredited, college conservatory offering degrees in dance launched in 2021 with a vision to expand to theatre, music and visual art.

In our conversation, Jeremiah and Mona share some incredible stories from their journeys! We chat about how the arts have the ability to reach past language barriers, connect people, and create space for deeper conversations and relationships. I am so inspired by their heart for “people before projects” and how they foster a thriving community within The Culture House. Towards the end of the episode, we dive into the topics of leadership, mentorship, and lessons they have learned through the years. Fellow artists, may you be encouraged through this conversation and remember, as Mona says, “be not afraid!”

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. It is a joy to have Edwin Santini of Imaginare! Arts International join me for part four of this series!

Originally from Puerto Rico, Edwin and his family currently live in West Palm Beach, Florida, where he is a professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University. He and his wife Vilmarie have been involved with ministry through worship and the arts for over 20 years, and together they founded Imaginare! Arts International. Edwin shares about their journey and how they have witnessed God utilize the arts and worship to bring healing and revival across the globe.

With a vision for equipping and inspiring creatives, Imaginare! Arts International collaborates with other ministries, churches, and artists to create spaces for people to encounter God and to build up the next generation of creatives. Edwin shares how a heart of worship and excellence in our craft are synergistic, the importance of community for artists, and the value of the arts in ministry. I love his encouragement to steward what God has given us in each season.

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. Mother-daughter duo Karen Sudds and Ainsley Sudds join me from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, for part three of this series!

I loved getting to know both Karen and Ainsley and hearing their heart for community and mentorship in the dance studio setting. Karen has over 30 years of experience in both the pedagogical and artistic performance aspects of dance. She is recognized as an accomplished dance educator, founder, and director of Crossings Dance School, Director Emeritus of Corps Bara Dance Theatre, and advocate for the integration of dance science research and practice in the dance studio.

Ainsley is both the Studio Director and a Dance Instructor at Crossings Dance, is on Faculty at the Alberta Ballet School, and guest teaches throughout the Calgary dance community. She is also the Event Producer for Project Dance Calgary and on staff with Project Dance NYC. Karen and Ainsley share about their journeys with dance and the development and growth of Crossings Dance.

We chat about finding the balance of business and ministry with a faith-based dance studio, and the succession process as Karen and Ainsley are currently in a season of shifting leadership at Crossings Dance. Their values-driven approach is truly an inspiration, and I am so encouraged by their genuine love for their community!

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? During this mini-series, we are diving into conversations focused on the global impact of the arts. I am so excited to have Zoé Zuno Golden and her husband, David Golden, on the podcast today for part two of this series!

Zoé and David live in Guadalajara, Mexico, and are making an incredible impact through their arts company, Procora. Procora began as a local event, but has become a production gathering more than 1,500 people from over 11 different countries! Zoé is the director and creative producer of Procora, and David is a Pastor and contributes to Procora events through his musical gifts and as a member of the Procora band.

Zoé’s story is such an inspiration! She shares about her journey and seeing God provide in unmistakable ways. Through their work with Procora, Zoé and David inspire others to pursue their God-given dreams and know that they can be used by God through the arts.

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!

What is the impact of the arts around the world? Over the next several weeks, we will dive into a mini-series focused on the global impact of the arts. It is truly an honor to have Rev. Dr. Byron Spradlin on the podcast today to start off this series!

Byron is the Founder and President of Artists in Christian Testimony International, a missions and ministry sending board for artists and creatives. A.C.T. International currently has over 650+ innovative staff in more than 51 nations. For over 50 years, Byron has served the Body of Christ as an artists-in-missions-&-ministry specialist, worship pastor, a Bible teacher, church planter, senior pastor, music-evangelist, professor, recording artist, published songwriter and arts-missiologist in over 50 countries. He is a thought-leader in the role of imagination and the arts in The Church, and is living out his God-given assignment “to disciple and mentor people out of music and the arts, working them into the fabric of church, missions, and marketplace ministry around the world.”

We chat about the unique power of the arts to speak to the hearts of people, practical tools for discipleship, and how (as Byron shares) “the artistically gifted person is one of the most powerful declarers of God’s reality and His accessibility.” Byron is full of life-giving wisdom, insight, and humility, and this is one of those conversations that I will come back to time and time again.

The full show notes are available on our website https://creativeimpactpodcast.com! You can be sure not to miss a Creative Impact conversation by subscribing through your favorite podcast app.  We are so grateful to have you as a part of the Creative Impact community and would love it if you would share the show with your friends!