For nearly 30 years, I've been getting paid to make music, and for the last 20 years, it's been my full-time work.

In this solo episode, I share four myths I had to unlearn along the way—from creativity and productivity, to faith, identity, platform-building, and staying focused on mission when the methods keep changing.

If you're an artist, songwriter, producer, worship leader, or creative trying to build something meaningful, these lessons were learned the hard way.

In this episode:

• Why creativity and productivity aren't opposites
• The danger of waiting until you have the whole plan
• Why achievement can't give you identity
• How to build a platform that serves others
• Why your mission matters more than your methods

Whether you're just getting started or you've been at it for years, I hope these lessons encourage you to keep showing up, keep growing, and keep creating.

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Stay in the loop:

✅ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

✅ Sam Hart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samhartmusic

✅ Sam Hart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samhartlife

In this episode of Christian Music Maker, Sam sits down with Steele Croswhite and Caleb Yetton from The Rock Music in Utah for a conversation about worship culture, authenticity, theology, creativity, and why so many churches unintentionally end up sounding exactly the same.

Steele shares his journey from rock-and-roll frontman to pastor and worship leader after addiction, loss, and a radical encounter with Jesus changed the trajectory of his life. Caleb shares how grace, discipleship, and authentic community reshaped his understanding of ministry and creativity.

Together, they unpack:

• How churches can discover their own unique “sound”
• Why authenticity matters more than trends
• The tension between creativity and imitation in worship culture
• Theology, Scripture, and discipleship in worship ministry
• Why local church involvement matters for musicians
• Building team culture instead of personality-driven ministry
• What it looks like to create music that actually reflects your city and people

This is a conversation for worship leaders, artists, pastors, songwriters, producers, and anyone wrestling with how to build something meaningful without simply copying what already exists.

Follow / listen to The Rock Music: therockmusic.org

Instagram: instagram.com/therockmusic

TikTok: tiktok.com/@therockmusic

Facebook: facebook.com/therockmusic

Christian Music maker: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

Christian hip hop artist Connor Flanagan joins Sam Hart for a practical and honest conversation about what it really looks like to build an artist career before the “big breakthrough.”

Connor is a full-time indie artist, husband, dad of five, songwriter, performer, and self-described artistpreneur who has learned how to book his own shows, route tours, build a live experience, sell merch, and keep going without waiting for a label, manager, or booking agent to rescue him.

In this episode, Connor shares how he went from playing small shows with CDs and moving lights to building a nimble live setup that fits in a minivan. He also opens up about fear, faith, comparison, anxiety, and what it takes to stay faithful in the middle season of the artist journey.

If you’re a Christian artist, songwriter, producer, worship leader, or creative trying to figure out how to move forward without a full team behind you, this conversation is full of gold.

Connect with Connor: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connorflanaganmusic

Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/connor-flanagan/450791190

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5AhC3FXTAcCNMKXvVhGDZo?si=3erpY25US2yF0JaGq711yA

Website: https://www.connorflanaganmusic.com

Connect with Christian Music Maker: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@christianmusicmakerpodcast

Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

What happens when a former skeptic and mocker of Christianity has a radical encounter with God in a hospital bed — and Christian music becomes part of his redemption story?

In this solo episode (the first since Episode 0!), Sam reflects on a viral post from celebrity influencer Perez Hilton, who recently shared how a song by Rend Collective and Jervis Campbell moved him to tears on the way to school drop-off. It's a surprising, encouraging, and timely reminder of something every Christian music maker needs to hear: you never know who is going to hear your song and how God is going to use it.

Sam also gets personal — sharing his own story of how Christian music met him in his own prodigal season, his convictions about Scripture and sexuality, and why staying "salty" matters more than chasing spins, streams, or awards.

If you're tired, discouraged, or wondering if any of this is worth it — this episode is for you.

In this episode:

• The Perez Hilton story and why it matters for Christian music makers
• Watch the clip Sam references: [Perez Hilton's Post — https://youtu.be/pmhAdGubNXI?si=yONpOv1byx8en6kz ]
• Rend Collective & Jervis Campbell — listen to Do It All Alone: SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/track/4r52cNLmKqWVMMyaHYXikF?si=29cd4d2261744b8f | APPLE MUSIC: https://music.apple.com/us/album/do-it-all-alone/1887355945?i=1887356036

• Sam's personal story and convictions
• Matthew 5:13-16 — Stay salty, stay light
• A word of encouragement for the weary creative

Join the conversation: 📲 Follow & DM us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

Supported by Worship Leader Media: https://worshipleader.com

Enjoying the podcast? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts — just scroll down on the show page, select your star rating, and tap "Write a Review." It takes 60 seconds and helps more Christian music makers find the show.

~1,000 downloads and counting — thank you to listeners across the US, Canada, Algeria, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Philippines, New Zealand, Mexico, Chile, Italy, and beyond!

What do you do when the calling you were certain about… goes quiet?

In this episode, Jamie Jamgochian shares the real story behind a career that looked like it was over—Lyme disease, years of silence, and the wrestle of wondering if God was finished.

We talk about surrender, identity, waiting seasons, and what it actually means to trust God when nothing is moving. If you’re an artist, songwriter, or producer navigating a slow season—or questioning your next step—this one will hit close to home.

00:00 — Intro 02:00 — From jazz pianist to Jesus encounter 05:00 — How faith reshaped her music and calling 09:00 — Early days with Centricity Music + “Hear My Worship” 13:30 — Worship vs CCM: does the distinction even matter? 21:30 — When everything stopped: illness, silence, and doubt 24:30 — “I thought it was over…” — hearing God in the lowest moment 27:00 — Identity: who you are when the music stops 32:00 — Advice for single artists in ministry 38:30 — The importance of mentorship and being teachable 43:00 — Stop waiting for industry permission 46:30 — New music, book, and creative direction 49:00 — How to wait well when nothing is happening

• Why your identity can’t be tied to your career

• How to navigate seasons where nothing is moving

• What surrender actually looks like in real life (not just songs)

• Why mentorship and community matter more than you think

• The difference between calling, timing, and control

• Music, book, and more from https://www.jaimejam.com

https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

Todd Smith (Selah) shares the story behind his life, faith, and career—from growing up in the Congo to almost quitting music just two weeks into his first tour.

We talk about people-pleasing, burnout, calling vs career, and what it really means to walk with God instead of performing for Him.

If you’re an artist trying to make it—and stay grounded—this one’s for you.

🔗 LINKS 💻 Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

📸 Instagram: / christian.music.maker

CONNECT WITH TODD:

Facebook: / toddsmithonline

Instagram: / officialtoddsmith

Selah's Instagram: / selahonline

Selah's Website: https://www.selahonline.com

Yancy turned down a London record deal at 16, won a GMA competition right before a label said no, and accidentally became one of Christian music's most beloved artists — all without ever signing to a major label. In this conversation, she traces the thread of obedience that runs through every unexpected turn, and what it felt like to finally win a Dove Award on her own terms. For anyone who makes music and wonders if God is actually paying attention...this episode is gold.

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Connect with Yancy:

Yancey's Official Website - https://yancyministries.com

Yancey's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yancynotnancy

Yancy on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/yancynotnancy

More from Christian Music Maker:

💻 Official Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com

🎧 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-music-maker/id1872883204

🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1RFCA9IjFwfezxSgCt3gKO

✅ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker

✅ Sam Hart on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samhartmusic

✅ Sam Hart on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samhartlife

What if your identity has slowly become tied to your success?

For many Christian artists, songwriters, and producers — music becomes more than just a calling. It becomes a place to find belonging, approval, and worth. But what happens when success doesn’t come… or when it does and still doesn’t satisfy?

In this conversation, Sam Hart sits down with Bill Yuhasz from Known Legacy to talk about identity, healing, and learning to create from who you already are — not for what you hope to become.

They explore how men especially can struggle with performance-based identity, why our worth often becomes tied to our work, and how God invites us into a deeper place of belonging that isn’t dependent on platform, success, or recognition.

This episode is about doing music from identity — not for it.

• Why many artists unknowingly perform for belonging
• The difference between identity and calling
• How success can become a substitute for love and acceptance
• Healing the wounds that drive performance-based identity
• Learning to create from who you already are in Christ
• Why men often struggle to name emotions and vulnerability
• Finding worth beyond platform, recognition, or achievement
• Creating from identity instead of chasing validation

Website: https://knownlegacy.org Book: https://knownlegacy.org/more-than-you Known Legacy Podcast: https://knownlegacy.org/podcasts

Website: https://www.christianmusicmaker.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christian.music.maker