Upside Down People

Makoto Fujimura is a renowned contemporary artist, known for contemplative abstract works that integrate traditional Japanese techniques with contemporary expressions of faith and beauty.

Makoto’s journey as an artist has been deeply shaped by his understanding of God's love and the transformative power of creativity. He believes that art should be a reflection of love, not just a product to be consumed.

In this conversation, Makoto and Caleb Gray explore how art can serve as a medium for healing and redemption, the pressures of the art world, and the vital role communities (especially churches) play in supporting artists.

We cover:

- Why art should never be transactional.

- The power of embracing limitations in the creative process.

- How kintsugi symbolizes the beauty found in brokenness.

- The role of art as a gift economy and the importance of fostering a supportive ecosystem for artists.

Makoto challenges us to rethink what art is, why we create, and how we can make space for the love and authenticity that should define all artistic endeavours.

KEY CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to Art and Faith

03:06 The Role of Love in Creation

05:51 Art as a Gift Economy

09:03 The Nature of God's Love

11:55 Creating Beyond Transactional Value

15:08 The Importance of Authenticity in Art

18:04 Finding Your Unique Expression

21:10 The Journey of an Artist

24:05 Embracing Limitations and Brokenness

29:29 The Tension Between Passion and Economic Value

30:38 The Role of Art in Humanity

32:30 Creating a Supportive Ecosystem for Artists

34:52 The Church's Role in Cultural Care

36:01 Valuing Community and Individual Stories

39:25 Discipling Success and Dreams

40:13 Brokenness and New Creation

45:41 The Beauty of Kintsugi and Redemption

51:35 Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavours

How can the church better support those dealing with trauma? Dr. Steve Midgley shares his insights on how faith and empathy can lead to healing.

Steve is a psychiatrist turned pastor, Executive Director of Biblical Counselling UK, and co-author of Mental Health and Your Church. In this episode, Caleb Gray and Dr. Steve Midgley dive into the importance of understanding trauma and the church's role in helping individuals find comfort and healing.

The conversation dives into topics such as:
• The difference between ‘big T’ and ‘little t’ trauma.
• How churches can create spaces that encourage healing through empathy.
• The role of lament in processing grief and trauma.
• Why professional mental health support and community care must go hand in hand.

Listen now for a deeper understanding of how the church can offer genuine support to those in pain.

 Find out more about Steve: https://bcuk.org/

You can order Steve’s book “Mental Health and Your Church” here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Mental-Health-Your-Church-Depression/dp/1784987786 

Or find it at The Good Book Company

Follow me on

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/upsidedownpeoplepod/

Faith, vulnerability, and transformation are not things we either have or don’t—they’re things we cultivate. Strahan Coleman, a unique voice in spirituality, shares his powerful journey through chronic illness, faith, and the transformative power of prayer. Learn how to invite God into deeper parts of your heart through vulnerability and prayer.

Moments: These episodes are where Caleb revisits and highlights impactful segments from previous interviews. These curated moments focus on specific themes, offering listeners concise insights and reflections.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/episode/7J8mbKwOa6bczRQh0LS9DS?si=Jv-4pX44SCSK65ydqM79eA 

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/upside-down-people/id1683513769?i=1000679813279

Watch the episode on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhBzOmr59Hw 

Are young adults increasingly more skeptical of stepping into a church to find spiritual transformation? Peter Botross, pastor, leader, and cofounder of Gen J, dives deep into the challenges young adults are facing in their faith journeys.

In this conversation, Caleb and Peter go beyond just talking theory and bring a solution to the table for a faith that’s rooted in relationship. Peter shares his unique perspective on discipleship, drawing from his experience growing up in Egypt and the life-changing lessons he’s learned along the way. They investigate the real reasons young people are walking away from the church, and why churches need to rethink their approach to discipleship to make it truly relational and transformative.

Follow Peter Botross & his work with Gen J:

Instagram - ⁠@genjofficial

Follow Me:

⁠https://www.instagram.com/upsidedownpeoplepod/

Watch the episode on Youtube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@UpsideDownPeople/videos

Are you truly connected to your creative purpose? Dana Miller, the voice behind Hillside Recording, opens up about the heart of his music and faith journey.

In this conversation, Dana Miller shares his journey as a musician and worship leader, reflecting on his humble beginnings, the importance of faith in his music, and the collaborative nature of songwriting. He discusses the impact of grief and fatherhood has shaped his creative perspective. Dana emphasises the significance of community in the Christian music scene and expresses gratitude for the opportunity to share his music with others, all while navigating the challenges of the music industry.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Humble Beginnings

08:51 The Journey of Music and Faith

20:05 Collaboration and Community in Music

32:58 Navigating Grief and Healing Through Music

48:54 Fatherhood and Its Lessons

01:00:00 Future Aspirations and Reflections

Follow Dana Miller/ Hillside Recording:

https://beacons.ai/hillsiderecording

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Pr6QC1iOpXLx1shPTBBhN?si=UcqudLRDTBqMY3-6DeSyLg

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@HillsideRecording

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hillside.recording/

Follow Me:

https://www.instagram.com/upsidedownpeoplepod/

Watch the episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UpsideDownPeople/videos

Steve McAlpine is an author and blogger with a background in journalism and three decades of experience in pastoring and church planting.

In this conversation Caleb Gray and Stephen McAlpine explore the complexities of leadership within the church, the cultural shifts impacting faith communities, and the search for transcendence in a secular age.

The conversation covers:

- Leaders are called to build trust, embrace cultural differences, and foster genuine connections within the church.

- Church discipline can be tricky, especially with people moving between congregations and embracing more independence.

- Spiritual practices should help us grow closer to Jesus, while the church is encouraged to engage more openly with the spiritual side of life.

- Deconstruction can lead to rediscovering deeper truths, and through it all, we remember that suffering is an important part of our Christian walk.

To find out more about Stephen McAlpine & his work - https://stephenmcalpine.com/

How can innovation reshape poverty alleviation? What if the solution to poverty isn’t just aid, but innovation? Efosa Ojomo is a Nigerian author, researcher and speaker. He leads the Global Prosperity research group at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, a think tank based in Boston and Silicon Valley and is a senior research fellow at the Harvard Business School. He also co-authored "The Prosperity Paradox".

In this episode Caleb and Efosa discuss how disruptive market innovations can drive economic empowerment and prosperity, challenging common misconceptions about poverty and offering practical steps for Christians to engage with resources in transformative ways.

To find out more about Efosa & his work -http://efosaojomo.com/

https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/bios/efosa-ojomo

Bryan Crum is an author and holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies, an MBA from ITT Tech and certifications in bioethics and world health from Harvard.

In this episode we discuss the importance of confronting death, overcoming self-doubt, and the cultural obsession with self-image. We also jump into some topics found in Bryan's book 'Neighbor, Love Yourself.' (Bob Goff author of New York Times best sellerLove Does, and Kimberly Stuart, best-selling author and speaker, collaborated on this book)

Head over here to find out more about Bryan or grab a copy of his book -https://www.bryancrum.com/

Don Golden is an impact investment strategist and fundraising consultant who specialises in the intersection of faith-motivated impact investing and market-based solutions.

In this episode, Caleb Gray and Don explore the intersection of faith and finance, discussing how our relationship with Jesus influences our understanding of wealth and purpose. They dive into the dichotomy between those with means and those with meaning, emphasizing the church's role in changing the world. They also touch on the concept of impact investing and the power of generosity in combating the myth of scarcity.

To find out more about Don -https://www.donrgolden.com/

To find out more about Just Capital Quotiant -https://www.justcapitalquotient.com/

Richard Beaumont is an experienced humanitarian, philanthropist and former founder & CEO of the Entrust Foundation. Entrust partners with local organisations, empowering grassroots projects to see the lives of the poor and oppressed transformed through effective community development.In this episode Richard emphasizes the importance of contentment and being in the place where God wants you. He encourages millennials to focus on their goals and priorities when thinking about money.To find out more about Richard or Entrust Foundation head over here:https://entrust.org.au/

linkedin.com/in/richard-beaumont-716bbb8