The Hopeful Rhino Podcast

Practice, practice, practice! In this special episode, we have a panel interview with 4 incredible guests from various creative disciplines including music, film creation, audio, and dance. They cover how to prioritize practice amidst full and busy lives, what their practice disciplines have looked like over the years, and debunking the myth that talent is everything. We get so many requests to share what we do at Team Nights, so we thought this was the perfect interview to share with our Podcast listeners! Enjoy this exclusive interview from Hills Team Night with Sebastian Strand, Tabitha Alfredsson, Chelsea LaRosa, and Muchiri Gateri. Make sure to stick around after the interview for the special segment in Season 2, “The Creative Compass”.

Is there a place for art in devastated places? Join Jeremy Court, founder of the Preemptive Love Coalition, as he talks about the impact of art and story from his perspective on the front lines of providing aid in some of the most war-torn parts of the world. Hear him discuss how imagination threatens groups like ISIS as well as how making soap brought hope and transformation to an entire community. Make sure to stick around after the interview for the special segment in Season 2, “The Creative Compass”.

Ben Nicholson, a highly accredited video director and creative producer, talks about his personal journey of starting out in the field and how he found himself working with Grammy-Award winning artists and events like the Super Bowl Halftime Show. Ben discusses the significance of finding a balanced rhythm in the midst of a fast-paced industry, prioritizing relationships and community in addition to task. Make sure to stick around after the interview for the special segment in Season 2, “The Creative Compass”.

Hear Chris Davenport discuss the ins and outs of being the creative pastor at Hillsong NYC as well as the challenges that come with maintaining a healthy culture in an actively growing team. Working with a volunteer team in the city that never sleeps, Chris provides key tips to become an intentional leader, prioritizing detail and consistent communication in a creative environment. Make sure to stick around after the interview for the special segment in Season 2, “The Creative Compass”.

Season 2 of the Podcast kicks off with a special interview with host Rich Langton. Rich and his wife Cass lead and pastor the Hillsong Creative team, with him focusing on the leadership of the team in Australia. He speaks vulnerably about his journey over the years and the unexpected paths in following Christ’s calling for his life. Rich shares passionately about creating a healthy team culture, where people are pastored and cared for alongside the stewarding of their contribution, including when tough conversations need to be had.

Ben Fielding, worship leader and Grammy Award-winning songwriter from Hillsong Worship, discusses the process of writing songs, and developing a culture of feedback and collaboration with other writers. Having penned some of the modern Church’s most wide-reaching songs like Mighty to Save and What a Beautiful Name, Ben unpacks the importance of melody and Biblical lyrics, and his heart for writing worship anthems that point people to Jesus.

Join Brian Houston, founder and Global Senior Pastor of Hillsong Church, as he shares wisdom from over 40 years of ministry. Brian offers profound insight on partnering with God in dreaming for more for our lives and our creativity, which is the theme of his new book ‘There Is More’. He also talks about the process of building credibility throughout your life in both good times and bad as well as how life is founded on our consistent everyday decisions.

In the first of a 2-part interview with Hillsong Church’s Global Worship and Creative Pastor, Cass Langton talks about the importance of developing a Christ-centered and inclusive creative team. Cass shares milestones and wisdom gathered from her own journey into creative leadership, highlighting the significance of “hidden seasons,” building margin to continually hear from God, and her heart for creatives in the Church.

Hear David Whitworth dive into the role of a recording and travelling musician with Bethel Music, keeping a fixed vision while dealing with setbacks and the need for constant output. David shares his personal experiences of collaborative music creation and developing a unique creative rapport with different artists. He talks about the importance of having a creative outlet and finding new ways to stretch his craft of musicianship.

Jay Argaet, Global Communications and Art Director of Hillsong Church, shares insights into the world of visual identity. He discusses balancing chaos with structure when creating impactful designs, especially for Hillsong United's album covers. Jay unpacks his transformative journey from business to creativity, overcoming self-doubt and navigating the complexities of artistic collaboration. He emphasizes how boundaries can enhance creativity and reflects on the spiritual significance of art in a faith-based context.