Send us a text

What does it mean to live creatively not just make art? And what happens when you lose touch with that part of yourself?

In this deeply honest episode, Sheran Ranasinghe sits down with Joel Negus -composer, producer, double bassist, and co-founder of Cleveland Scoring to explore the tension between creativity, faith, and identity.

Raised in a home where music was as natural as breathing, Joel’s creativity once flowed freely. But as he grew older, the joy turned to pressure. Expectations, career, and leadership began to blur the lines between who he was and what he did. After years of performing, pastoring, and building, he found himself asking a haunting question:
“Am I still a creative… or have I lost that part of me?”

What followed was a journey through doubt, burnout, and rediscovery — a story of remembering that creativity isn’t just a skill, it’s a way of being.

🌿 In This Conversation

• Growing up surrounded by musicians and early expectations
• The cost of creative pressure and identity collapse
• Why imagination and healing are deeply human instincts
• Rediscovering creative freedom through analog sound and play
• The power of community and relationships in creative growth
• How The Heights Theater became a home for faith and art
• What it means to live creatively, not just create things

Joel reminds us that creativity can’t be severed from relationships. It’s how we connect, process, and heal. Through his own journey from punk bands to church leadership to film scoring, he’s learned that integration is the real art form.

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or someone quietly wondering where your creative spark went, this conversation will speak to the parts of you that still want to dream, build, and become whole again.

✨ Go Deeper - Free Creative Guide: “From Stuck to Spark”

Feeling lost, blocked, or unsure of your next step?
 This free companion guide (inspired by Joel’s story) helps you reconnect with your creativity through simple, visual reflection prompts.

Inside, you’ll:
 1️⃣ Start with the Middle — Express how you feel right now using colors, words, or sketches.
2️⃣ Remember the Sparks — Reconnect with what used to make you come alive.
3️⃣ Dream a Little — Imagine what “unstuck” could look like.
4️⃣ Write It Down — Make a small creative promise to yourself.

It’s gentle, soulful, and designed for anyone ready to begin again.
 👉 Download your free copy here: https://stan.store/TheCreativeOdysseyPodcast

🪶 Guest: Joel Negus

🎵 Composer | Producer | CEO of Cleveland Scoring | Pastor at City Church Cleveland
 🎓 Cleveland Institute of Music graduate
 💡 Known for bridging faith, art, and human connection through music

Follow Joel → @joelnegus
Connect on LinkedIn → Joel Negus

🌊 Connect with Us

Instagram → @thecreativeodysseypodcast
Email → [email protected]

When you feel stuck, The Creative Odyssey Podcast gives you space to reflect, create, and heal. Hosted by Sheran Ranasinghe, it’s where honest stories meet creative renewal - reminding you that your voice was never lost… just waiting to be found again.

Support the show