Celebration Over Exploitation: Achievement Guide Pt. 4 - Ep 19

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Welcome to the Soma SoulWorks Podcast! This podcast serves to help people, particularly those who may label themselves as "creatives," to seek wholeness and calling so they are ready to embrace the mission God has for them. Consider this podcast a rogue harmony of professional development and self-care, hosted by Chris Skaggs.

This Achievement Guide series suggests a set of practices and ideals meant to shield our hearts and minds from the most common pitfalls we encounter. At its best, it is an expression of community, taken up in the belief that none of get through this world alone. We need help from one another to live the lives God meant for us. It is also embraced in humility, recognizing that we are all prone to specific lures and spiritual threats that require us to take extra care with our practices.

What’s covered in this episode:
Instead of the individualism and isolation facilitated and encouraged by screens and controllers, we practice the presence of others IRL with a special effort to share space with those who are not part of our daily work. We pursue diversity across class, gender, and ethnicity in our friendships, partnerships, and mentoring relationships.

• There is a stereotype of the “starving artist” who is driven to create but often struggles to earn a living doing so.  However, Neil Sauvageau points out that, "Starving artists don’t mind starving as long as they get the joy from creating.”
• Mark Söderwall refers to artists as “creatives” and addresses the issue of value and exploitation. He points out that many artists get taken advantage of because they do not know or realize the monetary value of their creations. This is because most artists find their value in simply doing what they love or creating something that other people will love. 
• When we look at the Bible, there aren’t artists specifically mentioned by name, so what is the role of art in the Kingdom?
• While reflecting on purpose and gifts, Neil says, “Whatever you are built with, do it well. If that’s art...guess what? Do it well!” 
• Not many artists are proud to show off their work...why is that? Vulnerability. It’s easier to hide than to receive feedback or criticism.
• How can we feed artists moving forward? What’s missing or needs to change? The team discusses different ideas of ways to help artists grow and find their identity in Christ instead of what they produce. 

Resources mentioned:

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