In this episode, Wisdom Moon responds to questions from independent Christian artists about funding, calling, and growth in the music industry. Topics include how to allocate a Kickstarter budget, the balance between worship and compensation, and practical steps for how to grow as both an artist and a worship leader.
The episode also introduces Madyson Kohl, who shares her journey into the Christian music industry and offers insight on boundaries, communication, and staying grounded in ministry.
Wisdom Moon's experience in the Christian music industry includes his time in marketing and publishing at Centricity Music and Integrity Music, before launching his own company to help guide hundreds of artists, labels, churches, and organizations through branding, marketing, and strategy.
Wisdom is recognized as a pioneer in the Christian music industry, having founded All About Worship, Kingdom Songs, Marketing with Wisdom, Christian Music Marketing, and Lula Street Records. He currently hosts the Christian Music Industry Podcast, where he shares conversations, insights, and practical guidance to help artists and industry professionals navigate their calling and career with clarity and purpose.
A respected consultant, speaker, podcast host, and executive, Wisdom’s influence spans across labels, churches, conferences, and independent artist communities. His passion is to see artists live out their calling with boldness, humility, and eternal impact.
Whether walking alongside emerging artists or serving established voices, Wisdom Moon remains committed to helping creatives grow their audience and their Kingdom impact, with purpose and integrity.
To submit questions for future episodes, visit christianartistmentorship.com
This episode is sponsored by Christian Creative Mentorship, a community created specifically for Christian music creatives who are serious about growing in both their craft and their calling. Whether you're just starting out or navigating your next steps, this community exists to help you steward your music ministry in a way that honors God and serves others well. Visit christianartistmentorship.com to join for free today!
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In this deeply personal and inspiring episode, Wisdom Moon sits down with Dove Award-winning songwriter Tony Wood for a rich conversation on calling, craft, and career longevity. With over 900 recorded songs and more than 30 No. 1 hits, Tony shares the story of his humble beginnings in a small North Carolina town, his leap of faith to Nashville, and the years of quiet faithfulness that shaped his songwriting ministry.
You’ll hear about:
-The early days of writing lyrics in church youth group
-What it means to be faithful in the hidden seasons
-Why the second meeting with a publisher is harder than the first
-How to create safe, Spirit-led writing rooms
-Encouragement for young Christian songwriters navigating today’s industry
Tony’s story is a reminder that the fruit of faithfulness often grows slowly, but it lasts. Whether you're a new songwriter or a seasoned creative, this conversation will encourage you to trust God with your calling and show up with a heart to serve.
This episode is sponsored by Christian Creative Mentorship, a community created specifically for Christian music creatives who are serious about growing in both their craft and their calling. Whether you're just starting out or navigating your next steps, this community exists to help you steward your music ministry in a way that honors God and serves others well. Visit https://christiancreativementorship.com/ to join for free today!
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In this episode, I sit down with David Smallbone, an artist manager, husband, father to Rebecca St. James and Joel and Luke of for KING & COUNTRY, and the real-life patriarch whose family’s story inspired the film Unsung Hero.
David shares behind-the-scenes stories from the making of the movie, including why his wife Helen insisted the film show the full truth of their journey, especially the miraculous moments that only God could orchestrate. From their move from Australia to the U.S. with nothing, to specific instances of divine provision, David reflects on God’s faithfulness in the valleys and the victories.
We also talk about what he’s learned through decades in the Christian music industry, managing his own kids, walking the line between ministry and business, and staying anchored in accountability and the local church.
This conversation is full of biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for artists and ministry leaders alike. Topics include:
-Leading from a place of humility and stewardship
-The “team sport” nature of artist development
-Keeping a ministry-first mindset in the music industry
-Doing your due diligence in partnerships
-Building a legacy rooted in the Gospel
Whether you're an artist, parent, or leader, you’ll be encouraged by David’s perspective on faith, resilience, and living a life fully surrendered to God.
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This episode is sponsored by Pure Mosaic Services, empowering Christian artists with tailored label services. Visit puremosaicservices.com to learn more about how they work with artists.
In this episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, Wisdom Moon sits down with singer, songwriter, and worship leader Jaime Jamgochian—a veteran of over 25 years in music ministry. From her classical and jazz roots to becoming the flagship artist at Centricity Music, Jaime shares how surrendering her dreams led to deeper purpose.
She unpacks the journey from discovering Christ through Christian music at 21 to serving in local churches and leading worship with authenticity and heart. Jaime reflects on the industry pressures of chasing numbers, staying visible, and building a platform—and how she's learned to keep “the main thing the main thing.”
Together, they discuss:
Navigating label deals and building a team
How to discern the right opportunities
Leading with character and humility
Challenges female artists face in the industry
Jamie also gives us a sneak peek into her new book, releasing later this year.
This is a rich and heartfelt conversation every Christian artist needs to hear.
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This episode is sponsored by Pure Mosaic Services, empowering Christian artists with tailored label services. Visit puremosaicservices.com to learn more about how they work with artists.
In this powerful episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, Wisdom Moon hosts a deep dive into the world of live performances for Christian artists with Jason and Skylar from Purpose Live. Founded in 2022, this innovative company is revolutionizing how artists approach their craft, focusing not just on technical skills, but on the profound art of connecting with an audience. Through personal stories, practical insights, and a passion for transformative storytelling, Jason and Skylar reveal the secret sauce of creating performances that don't just entertain, but truly touch people's hearts—breaking down the barriers between artist and audience to create moments of genuine emotional connection.
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In this heartfelt episode, host Wisdom Moon sits down with Christian artist and songwriter Nathan Sheridan for an intimate conversation about his remarkable life journey. In this episode, Nathan opens up about his challenging childhood marked by his parents' struggles with addiction, which ultimately led to him and his sister being raised by their grandparents in Louisiana. Nathan shares the profound impact of early family separation and loss, including a particularly devastating tragedy during his formative years.
The conversation illuminates how God transformed personal tragedy into musical authenticity—a rare glimpse into the crucible that forged one of Christian music's most genuine voices. Industry veterans and fellow artists will find particular value in Nathan's candid reflections on turning pain into purpose, and how his unconventional path created a songwriting perspective that cuts through the noise of manufactured narratives. This raw origin story offers powerful lessons on developing authentic artistry that resonates far beyond typical industry formulas.
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In this episode, we sit down with Trevor Mathiesen, Senior Director of Publishing and A&R at Curb | Word Entertainment, for a conversation about his journey in the Christian music industry. From his early days as an "errand boy" for Michael W. Smith to his current leadership role, Trevor shares insights into the world of A&R and publishing, offering valuable advice for aspiring artists and songwriters.
We discuss:
-Trevor’s unconventional path to becoming an A&R Director
-The importance of co-writing and developing your craft
-How to get your music heard by industry professionals
-Balancing innovation and marketability when pitching songs
-What “success” looks like for Christian artists in today's music industry
Whether you're a seasoned Christian artist/songwriter or just starting out, this episode is packed with wisdom and encouragement for anyone pursuing a career in Christian music. Tune in to hear Trevor's story and glean from his years of experience in the industry!
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In this heartfelt episode of the podcast, host Wisdom Moon sits down with artist and songwriter Natalie Layne for an authentic conversation about faith, artistry, and finding peace in the creative process. Natalie shares profound insights about trusting God's timing in the music industry, moving away from the common cycle of desperation and extreme highs and lows that many artists experience. Throughout the conversation, Natalie's infectious enthusiasm and deep faith illuminate how finding true joy in artistry comes not from striving, but from resting in God's perfect timing.
Currently residing in Nashville, Natalie's latest independent single "Amen" has gained millions of views on Instagram (where she has 328k followers) and TikTok (where she has over 233k followers) and 3 million likes on her videos. The single follows her 2021 Castles EP that garnered attention worldwide. The music led to opening concerts for Jeremy Camp, Chris Tomlin and We the Kingdom, and sharing stages with Steven Curtis Chapman, Mandisa and Crowder. Playing in several Nashville-based R&B and jazz bands, Natalie graduated with a Master's Degree in Commercial Piano from Belmont University. Writing and producing her own music, she most recently finished 2 major U.S. tours with Danny Gokey, Austin French, Brandon Heath, and Josh Wilson. She began leading worship at the age of 12, alongside worship pastors such as Cory Asbury, Jon Egan and Jared Anderson.
In December 2022, Natalie signed an exclusive recording and publishing contract with Centricity Music. Her label debut the, "Amen" EP, has amassed nationwide radio adds, reached #5 on Independent Christian Radio Charts, and broke the top 30 on Billboard charts. From the EP, an exclusive live performance of her song "Grateful For" was just featured by the Recording Academy/GRAMMY's for their segment Positive Vibes Only. Natalie was also amongst Pandora's "Top 10 Artists to Watch" and featured on a billboard in Times Square.
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In this candid conversation, rising Christian artist Amanda Nolan shares her remarkable journey from pursuing mainstream pop music to finding her calling in Christian music at age 19. After walking through a challenging season with OCD and anxiety, Amanda discovered not only her faith but also a deeper purpose for her music - creating authentic songs that bridge mental health struggles with hope in Christ. She opens up about the inspiration behind her vulnerable song "Through Your Eyes" and discusses how she's built a thriving social media following of 129k Instagram followers while staying true to her message.
Industry professionals and artists will gain valuable insights as Amanda discusses navigating the challenges of being a young female artist in Christian music, building a genuine social media presence, and making wise decisions about industry partnerships. She and host Wisdom Moon explore the importance of maintaining artistic authenticity while reaching new audiences, and why staying connected to your original love of music is crucial for long-term success in the industry.
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Tim Robinson is a dedicated booking agent in the Christian music industry, with a career that began in the 1990s. He has a rich background that includes managing bands, running a music venue, and founding a Christian music festival in Colorado. After a semi-retirement phase, Tim was invited to join Greg Oliver Agency (GOA), where he further developed his expertise. Following the agency's closure, he established Aligned Talent Agency (ATA) to continue his mission of connecting artists with meaningful opportunities. Based in Spring Hill, Tennessee, Tim leads a small team focused on building relationships and finding gigs for artists while emphasizing the importance of serving ministries and uplifting communities through music.
Learn more about Aligned Talent Agency: alignedtalentagency.com
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WE ARE BACK!! After a longer-than-expected break, Wisdom and Rachel are finally back and share the reason behind the hiatus. And, we got to record this episode in-person! Wisdom shares a BIG life update and what's ahead for this podcast. We're excited for you to listen!
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In this episode of the Christian Music Industry Podcast, Rachel Panasyuk interviews Evan Norris, a senior designer at Elevation Worship and founder of Design Cycle. Evan shares his journey from growing up as a pastor's kid to discovering his passion for graphic design, eventually landing at Elevation Church where he's been on staff for nearly seven years.
Listeners will gain insights into Evan's creative process, his experiences designing for major projects like Elevation Worship albums and youth events, and how he integrates his faith into his work. Evan also discusses the impact of AI on the design industry, offering a balanced perspective on its benefits and challenges.
Whether you're an aspiring designer or simply curious about the creative process behind Christian music and ministry, this episode provides valuable advice on honing your craft, finding inspiration, and pursuing excellence. Evan shares resources for learning design, the importance of practice and persistence, and how to navigate the tension between frustration and confidence in one's work.
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Many Christian artists fall into the trap of simply praying over a new song and releasing it without any real strategy or promotion. But is that the best approach to stewarding the gift of music? On this week's episode, Wisdom Moon and Rachel Panasyuk unpack the importance of combining prayer with diligent action when it comes to creating and releasing music. Tune in as they provide wisdom for artists on balancing spiritual disciplines with industry best practices for greater Kingdom impact.
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On today's episode, Wisdom steps behind the curtain of the music business with Jess Loper, a seasoned veteran in the A&R and publishing world.
In this insightful episode, Jess shares her wealth of knowledge and experience, demystifying the often-opaque realms of artists and repertoire (A&R), music publishing, and sync licensing.
From scouting talent to navigating the intricate landscape of royalties and recoupment, Jess offers a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the industry. Whether you're an aspiring artist, songwriter, or simply a music enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the business side of music.
Jess Loper began her career in the newsroom serving as an Editor with Business Wire who services the Associated Press with press releases for publicly held companies. From there she took her love of words into the music industry in the A&R department at Capitol CMG/Universal Music. In this position, she was an integral part of the production process for CMG’s roster of artists (Amy Grant, Chris Tomlin, Kari Jobe, TobyMac, Passion/sixstepsrecords) while also working with business affairs, union negotiations, and film & tv licensing for the label.
In 2017, she joined the team at Gotee Records as VP of Brand Management (Gotee Records) and Publishing (Emack Music). Gotee Records and Emack Music are a record label and a music publishing and administration company started in 1994 under the leadership of artist, TobyMac and label president, Joey Elwood. In this position, she handled A&R for artists Jon Reddick, Hollyn, Aaron Cole, Joseph O’Brien, Charly Beathard, and RENEE, cultivated writer relationships for Emack writers Tyrus Morgan, Hunter Leath, Ben Shive, and Lindsey Sweat, assisted with film and tv placements (ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC, NBC & VH1) and handled administration for Man Cub Music (Bryan Fowler & Micah Kuiper).
Most recently, she launched Without Labels Collective, a company that focuses on music supervision and licensing for film & television (The Jesus Music Documentary, Trinity Broadcasting Networks, The Huckabee Show, Compassion International, and Thrive just to name a few). This new venture is also focused on educating and supporting songwriters & artists on the business side of the creative process. She serves on the Board of the CMPA and works closely with the GMA Dove Awards.
Outside of her career in the music industry, her writing has been featured in the Huffington Post & Business Week Magazine among other digital news outlets and printed publications. Her greatest role in life has been getting to be a mom to Brody (15) & Kellen (12). In the Spring of ’22, she married her favorite songwriter, Brent Loper, on the front porch of their little farmhouse in Culleoka, TN
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Does the pursuit of perfection keep holding you back from releasing your music and making progress? On this week's episode, Wisdom Moon and Rachel Panasyuk tackle the crippling issue of perfectionism that plagues so many artists.
Whether you're agonizing over every detail of your new single or terrified to post that first video, this engaging conversation will provide encouragement and insights to help you break free from the shackles of perfectionism. Don't miss this insightful episode!
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This week on the Christian Music Industry podcast, Wisdom Moon tackles the controversial topic of whether independent artists in the early stages of their career should stop releasing music on Spotify and other streaming platforms.
Joined by Rachel Panasyuk from Pure Mosaic Records, they dive deep into the rationale behind this advice and discuss practical strategies for building an authentic fanbase before investing heavily into releasing music. From leveraging social media and YouTube to gauging audience interest through covers and original snippets, Wisdom shares wisdom gained from over 17 years in the industry.
They also explore topics like finding your ideal fan, knowing when you're truly ready to launch music, the importance of consistency, and innovative content ideas for new artists starting from zero followers. Whether you're an aspiring artist or an industry veteran, this candid conversation offers fresh perspectives that could save you time, money and frustration on your musical journey.
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In the fast-paced world of the music industry, it's easy to get caught up chasing your big dreams and aspirations. You want that record deal, that hit song, that taste of success. But oftentimes, artists move too quickly, burning bridges and burning out in the process.
In this insightful episode, we explore the importance of patience, steadiness, and building authentic relationships in your journey as a Christian artist. Don't miss out on this invaluable perspective!
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In this week's episode, Wisdom addresses a recent comment from a Christian music industry veteran that there's a perception of Christian artists being the laziest artists in the industry. From improving songwriting skills to embracing marketing and audience engagement, Wisdom discusses tangible ways that Christian artists can become known as the hardest-working and most faith-filled creators in the industry. Tune in for thought-provoking perspectives from Wisdom on marrying spiritual callings with professional dedication.
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In this episode, host Wisdom Moon sits down with veteran entertainment lawyer Kevin Kookogey, who has represented hundreds of artists, publishers, labels, and more over his 32-year career. Kevin shares the fascinating story of how he broke into the Nashville scene and landed his first major client, Newsboys, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the challenges of getting established. He goes on to deliver incredibly nuanced advice catered to today's music landscape - from typical label deal structures for new artists, to copyright and royalty considerations, to best practices for how churches should handle publishing with worship teams.
With an emphasis on clear client communication and viewing industry relationships as partnerships, Kevin draws upon his decades of experience to address complex issues like registering with performance rights organizations in easy-to-understand ways. Whether you're an artist, writer, pastor or label, this is an utterly invaluable masterclass in Christian music business and legal affairs from one of the industry's most respected names.
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In this episode, Wisdom explores the difference between striving out of fear versus putting in honest hard work while trusting God's timing. Wisdom shares how he believes striving often stems from the fear of missing out or not achieving certain milestones. In this thought-provoking episode, you'll be challenged to pause and reflect on areas where you may be striving instead of resting in faith. Tune in to hear a powerful perspective on letting go of forcing things to happen and finding peace by cultivating a strong work ethic anchored in trust.
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