The Hutchmoot Podcast Owning Your Artistry (Rachel Wilhelm, Janna Barber, Karin Simmons, John Thompson)
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Mar 5, 2026 John Thompson, music-industry educator and songwriter who teaches art and vocation. Karin Simmons, songwriter and worship leader who writes congregational music. Janna Barber, writer and poet who turned grief into public writing. Rachel Wilhelm, singer-songwriter who makes scripture-inflected albums. They discuss claiming artistic identity, redefining success, serving local audiences, intergenerational collaboration, and creating with endurance and joy.
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An Album Makes Your Artistic Identity Irrevocable
- Rachel Wilhelm's turning point was releasing her first album and her husband's line: "now no one can take that away from you."
- That moment reframed a record as a permanent record and shifted her identity into confidently calling herself an artist.
Hearing Your Congregation Sing Confirms Your Calling
- Karin Simmons described first hearing a congregation sing her scripture-setting and realizing, "I did that."
- Writing liturgical music and hearing communal singing proved she could create for worship and kept her writing going.
When Business Became Part Of The Art
- John Thompson launched True Tunes at Cornerstone and feared it would overshadow his band, then Charlie Peacock advised him to be an artist in everything.
- That counsel reframed business work (magazine, store, conversations) as artistic practice.