In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, host Chris Decker welcomes artist and spiritual leader Jason Leith, who shares his journey of combining his passion for art, especially portraiture, with his mission of connecting with and uplifting the unhoused community through his project Sacred Streets. Jason discusses overcoming fear, the importance of calendaring creative time, the fusion of spirituality with creativity, and practical advice for artists looking to make an impact. The conversation highlights stories of transformation, the significance of joy in finding one’s purpose, and actionable steps to integrate creative pursuits into a fulfilling career.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Unique Artistic Projects: Highlights the impact of Jason Leith’s ‘Sacred Streets’ project, which uses portraiture to reveal deeper aspects of individuals’ identities and foster connections with those experiencing homelessness.
• Artistic Journey and Spirituality: Explores Jason’s creative journey, emphasizing the connection between spirituality and creativity, and how this relationship can drive meaningful creative work.
• Overcoming Creative Fear: Offers practical advice on navigating and overcoming fear in the creative process, helping artists push past barriers to express their true selves.
• Balancing Passion and Purpose: Discusses the importance of aligning artistic passion with a clear sense of purpose to create work that is both fulfilling and impactful.
• Integrating Creativity: Provides strategies for incorporating creativity into both daily life and professional endeavors, ensuring that artistic expression remains a consistent and enriching part of one’s routine.
• Transformative Impact: Highlights how Jason’s work not only transforms the lives of his subjects but also influences the viewers and broader community, demonstrating the power of art to effect change.
• Practical Tips: Ends with actionable advice for artists on maintaining a balanced approach to their craft, blending inspiration with practical steps to achieve their creative goals.

QUOTES

• "Creativity can be elusive... but it can also be an Excel spreadsheet that tells you exactly what to do and when it's due."
• "Your purpose is where your passion meets the world's needs."
• "Sacred Streets is about finding where God is making all things new right now, today in our very neighborhoods... Sometimes we go, really? Is He? Look at the news. But despite what we see in the news, there is redemption around every corner if we just look."
• "I started with what brings me joy and how I can do that as much as possible and make a living out of it. Where does that passion meet the world's needs?"
• I’ve seen several people decide to turn their lives around and self-initiate getting off of the streets after their portrait was done within days. It wasn’t a question of why they did that. They told me it was because of their portrait."

Connect and learn more about Jason Leith.
https://sacredstreets.org

If you feel called to give to Sacred Streets please visit: https://actintl.givingfuel.com/sacred-streets

Timecodes

00:00 Intro
00:35 Meet Jason Leith: Artist and Spiritual Leader
01:25 The Mission of Sacred Streets
04:37 Combining Art and Spirituality
07:32 The Power of Portraiture
09:50 Creativity and Spirituality: A Unified Approach
23:36 Overcoming Fear in the Creative Process
29:15 Practical Steps for Creative Professionals
34:38 The Vision for Sacred Streets
41:03 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, Chris Decker is joined by Nicole Jansen, a coach with over 30 years of experience in guiding visionary entrepreneurs. They explore themes of confidence, identity, and transformational results grounded in God's principles. Nicole shares insights on how prayer, quietness, and clarity are essential for releasing creative potential. Highlighting her personal journey, Nicole discusses navigating life changes and cultivating a deep relationship with God to achieve true success in both business and life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on aligning your purpose with your faith.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Importance of Prayer and Relationship with God: Emphasizes starting with prayer and cultivating intimate time with God to discover one's calling and next steps.
• Identity, Purpose, and Assignment: Differentiates between knowing one's identity in Christ, universal purpose to love God and others, and unique assignments based on personal gifts and experiences.
• Spending Time with God: Highlights the necessity of getting quiet, silencing external noise, and spending time with the Lord to hear His guidance.
• Navigating Changes: Provides advice on transitioning to new business practices in a faith-aligned way, stressing seeking God’s guidance and confirmations.
• Patience and Preparedness: Encourages understanding that sometimes God prepares us through patience and growing through trials before enabling us to fulfill His vision.
• Trust in God as CEO: Reframes the concept of business ownership to see God as the ultimate CEO and oneself as a manager following His lead.
• Differentiating God’s Voice from the Enemy’s: Guides on discerning whether an internal voice is of God (peaceful, loving, gentle, and aligned with Scripture) or the enemy (fearful, stressful, self-serving).
• Personal Testimony: Nicole shares her experiences of learning to trust God more deeply through personal trials, leading to growth and eventual reconciliation in her marriage.
• Creative Potential: Suggests that clarity in vision and purpose, obtained from spending quiet time with God, unlocks one's highest creative potential.
• Practical Advice: Ends with encouraging listeners to take time regularly to be silent, turn off distractions, pray, and listen to hear God’s voice.

QUOTES

• "We need a level of intimacy with the Lord. Anytime I have a client who is struggling, unclear, feeling unmotivated, the first thing I'll ask them is how much time are you spending with the Lord?"
• "Our purpose is to love God and to love one another as ourselves. And then our assignment is unique...based on how God has uniquely shaped us with our giftings, passion, life experience, and personality."
• "The enemy can counterfeit, but he can't create."
• "When God tells us to do something, there may be nerves, but there's a peace and grace about it."
• "Clarity unleashes creative potential. It’s about having a stream of consciousness that cannot be created in the middle of noise and distraction."
• "God may have given someone a vision, but it doesn’t mean that tomorrow it's going to come to fruition. It's a journey to grow into what He's calling us to do."
• "When God speaks to us, it's in a loving, peaceful tone, showing that He is with us. When the enemy speaks, it's with judgment, fear, and anxiety."
• "There’s a step of faith in this, taking the step to trust in God's guidance and allowing Him to lead."

Connect and learn more about Nicole Jansen.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolejansen/

Timecodes

00:00 Intro
01:06 Meet Nicole Jansen: Confidence, Identity, and Transformation
01:35 Discovering Your Next Step with God
03:16 Understanding Identity, Purpose, and Assignment
09:28 Navigating Change and Trusting God's Plan
17:09 The Power of Personal Testimony
24:15 Finding Stillness in Faith
24:56 Launching a Faith-Based Platform
25:31 Trusting God's Timing
27:14 Personal Journey and Marriage Struggles
31:00 Rebuilding and Reconciliation
35:00 Discerning God's Voice
45:39 Unleashing Creative Potential
49:19 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

In this episode of the Creative Potential Podcast, Chris Decker is joined by Ash Kumra, a celebrated community builder, speaker, and former national radio show host. The conversation dives deep into the topic of unleashing creativity, focusing on how to turn big ideas into reality even when faced with doubt and obstacles. Ash shares his journey, insights on finding the right 'vibe,' and practical advice on maintaining a positive mindset. The episode also touches on how to use AI as a productivity tool and the importance of daily, incremental progress toward creative goals.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Power of Vibes: Creativity thrives when you align your actions with your inner vibe—what feels right from the inside out. This is more than following trends; it’s about connecting with what truly resonates with you.
• Mindset Matters: Before you can effectively execute creative ideas, cultivating an open and adaptable mindset is essential. Embrace change and be willing to explore new environments and experiences.
• Overcoming Feeling Stuck: Start by eliminating distractions like excessive social media use. Dedicate small, consistent blocks of time to activities that fuel your passion, even if it's just 10-30 minutes a day.
• Environment Shapes Creativity: Your surroundings play a crucial role in your creative output. Be open to changing environments, as they can provide new inspiration and opportunities for growth.
• Resonance vs. Dissonance: Pay attention to what resonates with you and brings positive energy. If you find yourself facing constant obstacles, it may be time to reassess and make changes in your life.

QUOTES

• "The vibe is what you need to figure out—what you are feeling inside out to determine whatever creative endeavor you want to do."
• "Resonance is like hearing a song that makes you want to cry because it connects with exactly where you are energetically and emotionally."
• "If you notice that your interests and activities are changing and you're okay with it, then it's working. If you're not connecting with your environment, it's time to make a decision."
• "Sometimes, in order for the plant to grow, you have to move it into a bigger pot—you need to be repotted."

Connect and learn more about Ash Kumra.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashkumra/

Timecodes

00:00 Intro
00:52 Meet Ash Kumra: A Journey of Creativity and Success
03:00 The Power of Vibes in Creativity
06:56 Navigating Life Changes and Creativity
16:25 Practical Advice for the Stuck Creative
26:26 Leveraging AI for Creative Enhancement
37:57 Final Thoughts and Encouragement