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Arts
**Make It. Share It.**

Creativity, meet courage.

We explore the simple yet profound process for overcoming fear, doubt, perfectionism, and other enemies of creativity: make it and share it.

Latest Episodes:

Building The Cathedral | Craig Cunningham on Faith, Fables & Following a Dream Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

Join us as we welcome back our very first return guest, author Craig Cunningham, to talk about his new fable, The Cathedral.

Craig shares the origin of the story—a years-old vision of building an actual cathedral in the West Texas desert—and how that idea eventually merged with his own journey as a writer into the tale of Adeo, a boy called to build a cathedral of his own.

Craig walks us through writing the first draft in three uninterrupted days in Terlingua, Texas, how he finds the voice for every one of his stories, and the four mentors who guide Adeo across his life: the traveler, the architect, the magician, and the angel. The conversation lands on the book's central twist...the cathedral was never the building. It was always being built in him.

Listen to the full episode for:

Craig's story of finding his novel's voice through a single opening line, and why that line changes everything for him creatively.

A rich discussion on why self-promotion feels impossible for so many creatives, and why doing it anyway matters.

Lauren and Steven's own stories of building something (a coffee shop, a music career) that shaped them more than the outcome ever could.

Resources from the show:

The Cathedral

Three Days In Terlingua

Craig's Website

One Night In A Thousand Years Film Journal

The Cave, The Road, The Table, and The Fire

Kurt Vonnegut On Buying An Envelope:

(talking about when he tells his wife he’s going out to buy an envelope)

Oh, she says well, you’re not a poor man. You know, why don’t you go online and buy a hundred envelopes and put them in the closet? And so I pretend not to hear her. And go out to get an envelope because I’m going to have a hell of a good time in the process of buying one envelope. I meet a lot of people. And, see some great looking babes. And a fire engine goes by. And I give them the thumbs up. And, and ask a woman what kind of dog that is. And, and I don’t know. The moral of the story is, is we’re here on Earth to fart around. And, of course, the computers will do us out of that. And, what the computer people don’t realize, or they don’t care, is we’re dancing animals.”

Chapters

00:00 Welcome back from summer break
01:58 Craig Cunningham returns — first repeat guest
02:27 Reading the back cover of The Cathedral
04:31 The genesis: a cathedral in the West Texas desert
06:44 Writing in Terlingua — finding the voice
08:12 The opening line that unlocked the story
10:58 Reading the book's opening passage
17:38 The four mentors: traveler, architect, magician, angel
20:35 The ending — the cathedral burns, and the twist
22:39 "The project is never the project"
26:16 Lauren on Storied Provisions and process over outcome
27:20 You don't know the impact of what you build
28:57 Steven's winding path in music
32:04 "Obedience is the only strategy"
35:11 Why you have to actually tell people about your work
39:45 What's happened since The Cathedral released
42:28 Where to find Craig and the book
44:48 Buying local + the Vonnegut envelope story
47:58 One Night in a Thousand Years update
54:24 Closing thoughts

Too Broke To Drive Home Mar 03, 2026

Show notes

What does it look like when a gifted musician graduates with a piano performance degree, has his car repossessed, gets evicted, and can’t land a job?

In this episode of Make It. Share It. Kent and Cooper sit down with Dr. Oscar Williams, Jr., entrepreneur, producer, artist, teacher, and Associate Pastor at The Potter’s House, for a rich conversation about divine timing, creative seasons, and the kinds of conversations the creative community desperately needs to start having.

From being too broke to drive home to St. Louis, to turning down a full fellowship at NYU’s Tisch School of Arts, to hearing Bishop T.D. Jakes unknowingly preach the perfect sermon on his first day as a new hire, Dr. Oscar’s journey is a masterclass in trusting the process, especially when the process is painful.

He also shares what he’s making right now: a new podcast called Are You Okay?, a Good Friday musical theater production called Tell the Story coming to the Irving Arts Center on April 3rd, 2026, new music releasing under Oscar Williams & the Band of Life, and a creative consulting firm called Speak Life 3C.

🔑 Three Key Takeaways

* Being ‘too broke to go back’ can be God’s most precise positioning. Sometimes he holds you in the hard place long enough for the breakthrough to actually stick.

* The creative community is not talking enough about physical, mental, and financial wellbeing and that silence is costing us a generation of artists.

* The relationships and skills you build while serving someone else’s vision are never wasted. They become the infrastructure for your own dreams.

✨ Something Unexpected

Dr. Oscar was accepted into NYU’s Tisch School of Arts with a full fellowship, one of only two offered to 300 applicants from around the world, and turned it down. Find out why, and why he still keeps the acceptance letter.

🎧 Listen to the Full Episode For:

* The full story of Dr. Oscar’s worst year in Dallas — including a repossessed car, eviction, and the single conversation with God that changed everything.

* Why he was fired from a church in Atlanta on New Year’s Eve, and how that led directly to his role at The Potter’s House under Bishop T.D. Jakes.

* A behind-the-scenes look at his upcoming Good Friday musical theater production, Tell the Story, retelling the resurrection through the eyes of four women who encountered Jesus.

* His honest reflections on grief, overspiritualizing illness, and the financial patterns that keep creative people from building wealth.

* Why creatives need to make a budget and how coming in under budget can earn you an investor for life.

* When it’s time to stop building someone else’s dream and start betting on your own.

👤 About Dr. Oscar Williams, Jr.

Dr. Oscar Williams, Jr. is a pastor, entrepreneur, producer, artist, teacher, and leadership developer based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He serves as Associate Pastor of Music and Creative Arts at The Potter’s House under Bishop T.D. Jakes and leads Speak Life LLC, a creative coaching and consulting firm helping individuals and organizations build stronger teams and realize their biggest creative visions. His music is released under the name Oscar Williams & the Band of Life. He is also the creator of the forthcoming podcast Are You Okay?, dedicated to the physical, mental, and financial well-being of creatives.

🎨 What Dr. Oscar Is Making Right Now

* Are You Okay? Podcast — candid conversations with creatives about mental, physical, and financial health

* Tell the Story — a Good Friday musical theater production at the Irving Arts Center, April 3, 2026 (1 PM & 8 PM)

* New Music — upcoming single “Me and an Angel” releasing under Oscar Williams & the Band of Life

* Speak Life 3C — creative coaching and consulting for individuals, leaders, and organizations

🔗 Resources & Links

Follow Dr. Oscar Williams:

oscarworldwide.com

speaklifellc.com

Social media handle (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn): @OscarWorldwide

Music on Spotify & Apple Music: search Oscar Williams and the Band of Life

⏱ Chapter Timestamps

00:00 — Introduction & Welcome

01:14 — The Most Interesting Thing Dr. Oscar Has Learned Recently (Darkness, Light, and Ephesians)

03:33 — Turning Point: Moving to Dallas After His Father’s Death

07:00 — Rock Bottom in Dallas — Eviction, Repossession, and Rejected by Walmart

09:00 — The Church Audition That Was Already Closed (And How He Got the Job Anyway)

10:40 — When God Keeps You Too Broke to Go Home

13:38 — His Musical Background: Piano, Composition, and “Communicating” Through Song

15:30 — Part Two: The Atlanta Church, the NYU Fellowship, and Another Unexpected Turn

18:00 — Getting Accepted to NYU Tisch (Full Fellowship, One of Two) — and Saying No

20:00 — Getting Let Go on New Year’s Eve and What Bishop Jakes Preached His First Sunday

25:30 — What Dr. Oscar Is Making Now

27:00 — The Are You Okay? Podcast: Wellbeing for Creatives Nobody’s Talking About

29:00 — Tell the Story: A Good Friday Musical Theater Production (Irving Arts Center, April 3, 2026)

31:30 — Oscar Williams & the Band of Life + Speak Life 3C Consulting

33:00 — Grief, Over-Spiritualizing Illness, and Financial Stewardship for Creatives

39:00 — Knowing Your Identity Isn’t Based on What You Make

40:00 — The “Curse of the Creative” — From ‘This is the Best Thing I’ve Made’ to ‘Is This Even Good?’ in 48 Hours

43:00 — Retelling the Resurrection: Reimagining Judas, the Samaritan Woman, and Pastor J

46:00 — Building Community Before You Need It (And Discovering Who Wants to See You Win)

50:00 — Betting on Yourself vs. Faithfully Building Someone Else’s Dream

54:00 — Legacy Thinking: The Next 10-15 Years and Getting to That Beach

56:00 — Why Creatives Should Always Bring a Budget

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Five Years, One Salsa, and Why Creative Dreams Can't Be Rushed Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Kent, Cooper, and Lauren pull back the curtain on their own creative journeys in this one. From the five-year evolution of a coffee shop dream to navigating the harsh realities of independent filmmaking, this episode is a tribute to persistence, faith, and the messy beauty of bringing creative visions to life.

Discover how a fun conversation over homemade salsa became a thriving business partnership, why George Harrison of The Beatles financed a Monty Python film, and what it really takes to keep creating when the path forward isn’t clear.

🔑 Three Key Takeaways

Dreams have their own timeline. Surrender control but don’t stop believing. Lauren’s journey with Storied Provisions shows how a dream that didn’t come true in 2021 or 2023 finally came alive in 2024, when the timing was right and the right people appeared.

Share your work before it’s finished because other creatives are your greatest allies. From Monty Python getting funded by musician friends to indie filmmakers supporting each other, the episode reveals why bringing fellow creators into the process early is essential to getting things made.

The hardest part isn’t the creating. It’s the business of making it sustainable. The real challenge is navigating the practical realities while protecting your creative vision.

Something Unexpected

Find out how Monty Python couldn’t get funding in America for decades, and how George Harrison casually wrote a check for over $300,000 just because he “wanted to see the movie” after reading the script for Life of Brian the night before. Plus, discover why Hollywood comedies became less funny in the 2000s (hint: it has everything to do with the international market).

Listen to the full episode for:

The complete story of how Storied Provisions went from a Pinterest board and a back-pocket dream to a real coffee shop, bakery, and mercantile, including the divine appointments and speed bumps along the way.

Kent’s insights on the indie film journey for “One Night in a Thousand Years,” including the reality of applying for grants, self-funding, and why he’s choosing the independent route over studio deals.

Cooper’s revelations from seeing John Cleese live, including why movies stopped being funny and valuable lessons about creative persistence from comedy legends who couldn’t break into their market.

The importance of “Story Scripting” and defining your why before your where—a process that helped Lauren and her team stay focused on their original vision when new ideas and partners pulled them in different directions.

Practical encouragement for anyone in the middle of a long creative journey who’s wondering if they should keep going.

Resources

Storied Provisions Instagram: @storiedprovisionstx (Follow along as Lauren and Sarah bring this dream to life!)

Story Script Process: Connect with Kent Rabalais by replying to this email for guidance on clarifying your creative vision and staying on track with your dream project.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction - Catching Up on What We’re Making

00:49 Lauren’s Story: The Genesis of Storied Provisions

03:33 The Bridgeport Birthday and Finding Inspiration at the Table

06:23 Meeting with Sparrow Collective and Learning to Let Go

08:56 The Homemade Salsa That Changed Everything

10:01 Why Story Script Matters—Staying Centered on Your Vision

16:35 What Storied Provisions Actually Is (and Isn’t)

20:30 Learning to Trust Your Gut and Say No to Good Ideas

24:45 The Challenge of Making It Sustainable

28:20 Kent’s Update on “One Night in a Thousand Years”

35:15 The Reality of Independent Filmmaking

42:30 Cooper’s Night with John Cleese

47:00 Why Monty Python Couldn’t Break America

57:46 George Harrison and the Power of Creative Friendship

59:01 Why Movies Stopped Being Funny in the 2000s

01:01:05 Final Thoughts: Keep Fighting the Good Fight

If you’re in the middle of a creative dream that feels hard, impossible, or just unclear, this episode is for you. Subscribe to Make It. Share It. wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us as we learn what it really takes to make and share the things we’re called to create.

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Hybrid Publishing, Eternal Friendships, and Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion Oct 02, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Make It. Share It. we sit down with author Brooke Ledbetter to discuss her new book Closer Than a Brother—an invitation to move from isolation into authentic, life-giving community.

Brooke opens up about the unexpected journey that led her to write about friendship, from a last-minute pitch pivot to discovering that friendships aren’t just for this life – they’re eternal. She shares candidly about:

* The turning point: A 2019 moment when obedience to God brought healing from severe depression

* Finding your creative calling: How writing became her path after acting dreams faded

* The hybrid publishing experience: Why Hope Books offered the perfect middle ground between traditional and self-publishing

* Overcoming the insecurity of self-promotion: Reframing how we share what we create

* Jesus as an actual friend: Using sanctified imagination to develop real friendship with Christ

* Why friendship matters eternally: Investing in relationships that transcend this life

Plus: Cooper goes off on platform culture, we discuss Pearl Jam’s “Yellow Ledbetter,” and somehow Sinbad’s McDonald’s bit makes an appearance.

If you’re a creative struggling with the courage to share your work, or someone longing for deeper community – this conversation is for you.

Resources

* Book: Closer Than a Brother by Brooke Ledbetter (foreword by Lauren Chandler)

* Connect with Brooke: Instagram @brooke.e.ledbetter

* Brooke’s Substack: Fox & Swallow

Chapters

03:33 The Pearl Jam “Yellow Ledbetter” connection

05:04 Brooke’s turning point: giving up something she loved and experiencing healing

08:19 The night-before-the-pitch moment when the book idea crystallized

16:38 Why having an editor is like having a music producer

22:20 The struggle with feeling like hybrid publishing was “cheating”

28:28 Dreams and Community Support

31:34 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Sharing Ideas

32:37 Taking the Leap: From Idea to Pitch

35:26 Discovering a Passion for Writing

38:35 The Importance of Trying New Things

45:07 Navigating Self-Promotion and Sharing Work

46:22 The main insight: friendship with Jesus as practice, not just theology

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Chasing Creativity Rather Than Awards Nov 20, 2024

Show notes

Kent talks to Coop about his behind-the-scenes work on Grammy-nominated albums, moving from business to music, and exploring the beauty of photography with actor Jason Lee.

Stories From The Show

* Cooper shares his journey of balancing his passion for music with his career in the oil and gas industry, and how the lessons learned in each world have shaped his approach to creativity.

* In a providential encounter, Cooper meets actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA, leading to a moment of realization about the kind of multifaceted creative life Coop aspires to live.

* The importance of preparation and having a deep well of creative ideas and sounds to draw from when collaborating with artists

* How skills and lessons from the business world, especially building strong relationships, translate to the creative process in the studio

* Maintaining a focus on the joy of the creative process itself rather than external validation or "chasing the third thing"

* Staying true to yourself and your varied interests and passions rather than feeling the need to fit a certain mold

Questions We Explore

* What lessons from seemingly unrelated fields can shape an approach to the creative process?

* How does embracing a multifaceted identity contribute to a rich and fulfilling creative life?

* How can we maintain a sense of childlike wonder and find joy in the act of creation rather than seeking external validation?

"I left going, yeah, that's kind of the life I want also. Like photographer, musician, baker, (actor), drawing…whatever (creative expression emerges)."

-Steven Cooper, after spending time with actor Jason Lee at his camera shop in LA

Chapters

00:00 Transitioning from Oil and Gas to Music Production

08:26 Finding Time for Creativity

17:59 Navigating Creative Ideas in the Studio

25:45 Innovative Sound Creation

31:32 The Multifaceted Creative Life

39:15 The Importance of Authenticity

46:56 Sharing and Feedback in Creativity

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

A Unique Approach To Conflict & Creativity Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Join us on this episode of Make It. Share It. as we delve into Jamie Winship's extraordinary journey. From his humble beginnings as a police officer in the Washington, DC, area, Jamie was handpicked by the CIA for his innovative, out-of-the-box methods in conflict resolution, which he then applied in some of the world's most volatile regions.

Jamie shares more about his unique identity discovery and development process, how it differs entirely from radical individualism, how to find your voice as a creative, and much more.

🔑 Three Key Takeaways

* True identity is a gift received in community.

* Our true identity becomes more precise over time through ongoing listening to God’s voice in community with others.

* Unaddressed fear shuts down true identity and creativity.

Something Unexpected

Find out how two movies, Serpico and Buffalo 66, influenced Jamie's journey and taught him valuable lessons about resilience and the human condition.

Listen to the full episode for:

* Jamie's remarkable stories of using the power of true identity to bring peaceful resolutions and creative problem-solving to the world’s most militant, hostile regions.

* Insights on discovering and embracing your true identity and finding your unique voice.

* A rich perspective on the beauty of brokenness and the power of redemption when creating.

If you’re like us, you’ll want to know more about “how” to find your true identity. As mentioned on the podcast a great place to start is with this set of audio guides where Jamie and his wife Donna lead you through their simple, but profound process to come into the presence of Jesus and hear what he has to say about the identity he knit together in your mother’s womb.

Resources

Identity Exchange Website

Living Fearless

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:33 Impact of Movies on Life

06:36 Turning Points and Relationships

10:46 The Role of Shame in Creativity

13:38 Fear and Creativity

16:41 ReceivedIdentity vs Radical Individualism

22:43 The Essence of True Identity

25:42 Creativity in Crisis Situations

30:51 The Power of Community in Identity

34:40 Writing and the Creative Process

38:46 Challenges in Writing a Screenplay

54:38 Nurturing True Identity

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Sharing, Listening, and Naming With Stewart Shurtleff Aug 02, 2024

Show notes

This episode of Make It. Share It. features a lawyer, and no, we’re not in trouble. Kent’s long-time friend, Stewart Shurtleff, who recently formed the law firm Rothberg, Shurtleff, and Dang, joins the show to discuss developing people, building places, and much more.

🔑 4 Keys From The Episode

* Leadership Lessons from the Band Hall to the Boardroom: The surprising influence of Stewart’s high school band director on his life.

* “Jack-of-All-Trades, Master of None”: Is there more to this famous quote? Having diverse skills and interests can be a more significant asset than you think.

* The Power of Naming: A vulnerable story about the power of naming our emotions clearly and the essential role of people who know us well enough to help us with this process.

* The Gift of Listening: Stewart shares the importance of having friends who listen well and who can repeat back to you what you’re saying so it can finally penetrate your heart.

📢 "I can't even put that narrative together really tightly still because the last couple, three years have been, I get whatever analogy, right? In the middle of the war, stuck in a forest fire, whatever sort of everything is on fire and falling around you, you want to lay on top of that."

-Stewart on navigating the last few years of life, which has led to building something new with his wife and good friend

🎮 Something Unexpected: Kent and Stewart reveal a rabbit’s hole for 90s gamers that is probably best avoided altogether…unless you want to try landing on that aircraft carrier again.

📖 Resources Mentioned:

The Expectation Gap by Steve Cuss

Steve Cuss (Words) Website

17Twenty Podcast by Stewart Shurtleff and Kevin Carey

Tune in to hear Stewart's inspiring story of making and sharing, filled with laughter, insights, and a fresh perspective on how creativity and courage can shape our lives.

Follow Stewart On LinkedIn

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

10:34 Stewart's Turning Point: Middle School and High School Band

19:28 Building a Podcast: Stewart’s Journey with 17Twenty

22:03 Stewart’s Career as a Lawyer: From Midsize Firms to In-House Counsel

23:57 Building a New Firm: Rothberg, Shurtleff, and Dang

32:50 The Power of Being a Jack-of-All-Trades

46:47 Naming and Clarifying Emotions and Patterns

56:16 Sharing Experiences and Expertise

01:00:30 Focusing on Meaningful Work

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Solving the Swimsuit Problem With Mivallo: A New Apparel Company For The Mountains and The Oceans That Started With A Frustrating Problem May 16, 2024

Show notes

Join us as we explore the world of creativity, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving with our guest, Matt Murph. We discuss Matt's journey from building web apps to launching a new lifestyle apparel brand called Mivallo, and how creativity and determination have driven his success.

We get started talking about the band “Dream Theater” then move to a few significant turning points in Matt’s life, including learning the importance of buying low and selling high when selling candy to classmates.

We transition into the incredible story of creative iteration that led to the launch of a web app for donations that changed Matt’s life forever, what he learned about the importance of meaningful work vs working for money, and why he is taking on making and sharing Mivallo.

Why does getting super specific about what problem you’re solving matter so much in business? What do you do if you have an idea and vision for a technology company but you’re not a technical person? Why is picking the right brand name for a product matter so much more than a service? What if you have a brilliant idea that you know will work but you don’t want to tell anyone because you’re worried someone will steal it?

Check out this episode with Matt Murph for the answers to those and more.

3 Fun Facts About Matt

1. He sold roses at popular date spots in high school and started entrepreneurial pursuits at a young age.

2. He learned to code to build a web app to help churches with online donations which launched a business that doubled in growth for several years in a row until he sold it. You’ll never guess how the idea for this came to him!

3. He is starting a clothing brand called Mivallo and has his teenage daughters involved in the new venture. The inspiration for Mivallo is the perfect example of the importance of solving a specific problem when starting a new business rather than creating a solution looking for a problem.

Excited for you to hear this one and please do take a minute to leave a review wherever you watch or listen to Make It. Share It.

Matt’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mmurph

Mivallo Website: https://www.mivallo.com/

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Getting to Know Matt Murph

05:17 Entrepreneurial Habits: Seeing Opportunities and Going for the Lowest Hanging Fruit

12:57 The Creation of Easy Tithe: An Online Donation Platform for Churches

30:03 Transitioning from Building a Successful Company to Accidental Retirement

37:32 Venturing into the Clothing Industry: Innovating Solutions for Women's Bathing Suits

39:50 Empowering Mothers and Daughters

44:36 Solving the Swimsuit Problem

46:25 The Power of Unique Branding

50:56 Word-of-Mouth Marketing

53:28 Avoiding Trendy Fashion Choices

56:23 The Fulfillment of the Journey

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Melanie McWhorter - Edison Coffee Co. Sep 15, 2023

Show notes

Kent, Lauren, and Steven talk to Melanie McWhorter about launching Edison Coffee Co. ten years ago with her husband, J. We explore how Mel and J were both formed by their parents’ hospitality, the power a teacher can have with a few words of encouragement, the influence of servant leadership from a mentor in college, the dream to create a local space for coffee, ideas, and people to converge, learning through failure, major ups and downs in the Edison journey, how the Night Is Normal and much more.

Links:

Edison Coffee Co.

Edison Instagram

The Body Keeps The Score

The Night Is Normal

Get full access to Story Script at kentstudio.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome To Make It. Share It. Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Lauren, Steven, and Kent have a discussion about "why" they wanted to create Make It. Share It. This episode includes stories from each of their journeys in the creative process, their hopes in hearing from other creators of all kinds, why it's encouraging to hear about people in their 40s and older continuing to create, a crazy story involving The Chainsmokers, thoughts on The Taste Gap, and advice from Billy Corgan. Here are some links that are referenced in today's episode:

The Taste Gap

Whatever Is Lovely with Lauren Chandler

Let's Play Heardle on Instagram

Story Script with Kent Rabalais

Kent Studio

Don't Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers

Produced by Lauren Chandler, Steven Cooper, and Kent Rabalais

Music by Steven Cooper

Edited by Kent Rabalais

Chapters

00:00 Bumper

00:40 Introduction