Creative Evolution

Creative Evolution

Welcome to Creative Evolution, the podcast that gives artists of all disciplines a real plan for a long-term career. Hosted by touring artist and creative professional Josi J, we interview industry veterans to bring you actionable business strategies for lasting success in the arts. Tune in each week to learn how to: Master the business side of the creative industries. Navigate the digital era. Turn career stress into creative stability. Lead with professional humility and advocate for yourself. Success as an artist isn't magic - it's a strategy. Drop your ego, tune in, and let's start the evolution! Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Episodes

June 17, 2026 74 mins

What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing?

In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxvill...

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What does it look like to spend twenty years doing the thing nobody could make you stop doing?

In Episode 16 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J welcomes back her dear friend and guitarist Mandy Wilson, aka The Virgin Mandy, for one of the most honest, funny, and genuinely moving conversations of the entire season. Mandy is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and guitarist for Knoxvill...

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In Episode 15 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J sits down with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul, at her kitchen table in Knoxville Tennessee. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeanine is a powerhouse vocalist, bandleader of the True Funk SOULdiers, CEO of J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC, and one of the most resilient independent artists in East Tennessee. She won a national music co...

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In Episode 15 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J sits down with Jeanine Fuller, the Siren of Soul, at her kitchen table in Knoxville Tennessee. Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Jeanine is a powerhouse vocalist, bandleader of the True Funk SOULdiers, CEO of J9 Queendom Entertainment LLC, and one of the most resilient independent artists in East Tennessee. She won a national music co...

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In Episode 14 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with veteran frontman Evan Thor of Thor and the Rains, a power trio out of Knoxville, Tennessee that has been delivering wildly eclectic live performances for over 20 years.

Evan Thor is not your typical musician. A US Air Force veteran, self-taught guitarist, and Doctor of Business Administration, Thor picked up the guitar at 20, was selected twice to audition for the Air F...

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In Episode 14 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with veteran frontman Evan Thor of Thor and the Rains, a power trio out of Knoxville, Tennessee that has been delivering wildly eclectic live performances for over 20 years.

Evan Thor is not your typical musician. A US Air Force veteran, self-taught guitarist, and Doctor of Business Administration, Thor picked up the guitar at 20, was selected twice to audition for the Air F...

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Three months in. Thirteen episodes deep. And the blueprint is becoming impossible to ignore.

In Episode 13 of Creative Evolution, independent music and creative business podcast host Josi J delivers the May Evolution Report, Dispatch No. 3. This month we are stepping back from individual guest interviews to distill the absolute best lessons from Episodes 10, 11, and 12 into one powerful episode. Plus a very special segment with a li...

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In Episode 12 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Dwight Wilson (aka "The Oneder") guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, church music director, father of five, and lead guitarist of Josie J and Dessert. Dwight's story is a masterclass in what it looks like to build a long-term creative career without burning out, burning bridges, or giving up.

Dwight started in church, picking up drums before moving to saxophone (where he ...

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In Episode 12 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J sits down with Dwight Wilson (aka "The Oneder") guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, church music director, father of five, and lead guitarist of Josie J and Dessert. Dwight's story is a masterclass in what it looks like to build a long-term creative career without burning out, burning bridges, or giving up.

Dwight started in church, picking up drums before moving to saxophone (where he ...

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Meet Chris Marshall. East Texas native. Knoxville-based multi-instrumentalist. Author of the book The Lighthouse and the Machine. Full-time independent professional musician who pays his bills entirely through his creative ventures. And the mastermind behind some of the most successful open mics, jams, and artist showcases in East Tennessee.

In Episode 11 of Creative Evolution, Chris shares his philosophy for building a sustaina...

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Meet Chris Marshall. East Texas native. Knoxville-based multi-instrumentalist. Author of the book The Lighthouse and the Machine. Full-time independent professional musician who pays his bills entirely through his creative ventures. And the mastermind behind some of the most successful open mics, jams, and artist showcases in East Tennessee.

In Episode 11 of Creative Evolution, Chris shares his philosophy for building a sustainable,...

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What happens when a 6'8" former police officer clotheslines a man in a white mink coat and a three foot afro wig with Christmas lights on a concrete floor outside a wrestling ring in Wartburg, Tennessee? You get the origin story of Big N Funky Productions and one of the greatest creative partnerships in East Tennessee history.

In Episode 10 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J welcomes back Big Luke Walker and Funkmaster V for a conve...

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What happens when a 6'8" former police officer clotheslines a man in a white mink coat and a three foot afro wig with Christmas lights on a concrete floor outside a wrestling ring in Wartburg, Tennessee? You get the origin story of Big N Funky Productions, and one of the greatest creative partnerships in East Tennessee history.

In Episode 10 of Creative Evolution, host Josi J welcomes back Big Luke Walker and Funkmaster V for a conv...

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April 29, 2026 20 mins

This month we are stepping back from individual guest interviews and doing something different. We are distilling the absolute best blueprints from our April guests into one powerful episode and diving deep into one of the most critical business concepts for any independent artist: your Unique Selling Proposition.

In this episode we revisit:

Episode 8: Doing It on Your Own Terms with Vinnie Vineyard (Interview Only)

Episode 7: Failing...

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This month we are stepping back from individual guest interviews and doing something different. We are distilling the absolute best blueprints from our April guests into one powerful episode and diving deep into one of the most critical business concepts for any independent artist: your Unique Selling Proposition.

In this episode we revisit:

Episode 8: Doing It on Your Own Terms with Vinnie Vineyard (Interview Only)

Episode 7: Failing...

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Named "possibly the most interesting man in East Tennessee," Vinnie Vineyard (aka Funkmaster V) is a true creative multi-hyphenate. From touring as a musician and taking bumps as a pro-wrestling "heel" to starring in true crime TV and launching Big and Funky Productions, Vinnie has built a relentlessly independent career entirely on his own terms.

In this episode, Vinnie shares his unfiltered blueprint for creative survival. We disc...

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Please note: This is the interview-only cut of the episode. To hear our featured local music sweeps, please check out the Full Broadcast version!
Named "possibly the most interesting man in East Tennessee," Vinnie Vineyard (aka Funkmaster V) is a true creative multi-hyphenate. From touring as a musician and taking bumps as a pro-wrestling "heel" to starring in true crime TV and launching Big and Funky Productions, Vinnie has bui...

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What happens when nobody ever tells you no?

Meet Luke Walker. Former police officer. Pro wrestler. Independent filmmaker on his fourth movie. Full time musician playing 300 shows a year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. And at 6'8", one of the most fiercely original creative minds we have ever had in the Hot Seat.

In Episode 7 of Creative Evolution, Big Luke shares his blueprint for building a resilient, independent career on his own terms, ...

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What happens when nobody ever tells you no?

Meet Luke Walker. Former police officer. Pro wrestler. Independent filmmaker on his fourth movie. Full time musician playing 300 shows a year in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. And at 6'8", one of the most fiercely original creative minds we have ever had in the Hot Seat.

In Episode 7 of Creative Evolution, Big Luke shares his blueprint for building a resilient, independent career on his own terms, ...

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Whether you are a musician, a comedian, or any kind of creative, the hustle is universal.

In Episode 6, comedian, actress, content creator, and East Tennessee's #1 Host and MC Nicole Starnes shares her unfiltered blueprint for building a creative career from nothing.

We cover her entire journey: from an accidental five-minute hosting gig in Knoxville to touring the country with Darren Knight and Red Squirrel. We go deep into the real...

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