Psalms & Songwriting
Culture Matters
The Story Behind 'Still'
John Marc shares writing 'Still' in college from a place of doubt and its emotional impact when performed and later released.
In this episode, we sit down with worship leader and songwriter John Marc Kohl, for a vulnerable conversation about the heart of creativity. We talk about what it means to create honest art, the challenge of sharing our gifts, and the tension between inspiration and excellence. John Marc shares how his songwriting journey started with his mom’s choir notes and led to songs that took years to release. Tymarcus opens up about rediscovering his love for hip hop through grief and community. Whether we’re seasoned artists or just trying to steward our creativity, this episode reminds us that good work begins with honesty—and that offering one more “holy” is always worth it.
*One note, Chelsea had technical difficulties. So if you notice her sudden lack of presence...that's why. She'll be back...we think.
In This Episode
02:00 – Getting to know John Marc
03:00 – How songwriting found him: From his mom’s choir class to full-on obsession
05:30 – Tymarcus shares his hip hop roots and the painful season that led him back to creating
09:30 – When we share our work, we share our hearts
12:00 – "The Gap" by Ira Glass: Why doing the work matters even when it’s not great
14:00 – Releasing the song vs. sitting on it: Creating for others, not just ourselves
17:00 – The band years, "Song Boy," and learning to unify our artistic voice
20:00 – The story behind “Still”: Holding onto a song for eight years
24:00 – What makes a song good? We talk honesty, craftsmanship, and collaboration
28:00 – Excellence matters: Giving God our best, not just our effort
33:00 – Growing in our gifts: How being teachable leads to real development
38:00 – Songwriting and mustard plants: Finding inspiration in everyday life
44:00 – Learning to see deeply: How observation makes better art
48:00 – Writing with intention: Offering “one more holy” through our work
52:00 – Final reflections: Create like it matters—because it does
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