We were lucky to catch up with Corey Gathings recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Corey, thanks for joining us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

Would I go back in time to start my creative journey? Not at all! I strongly believe to create compelling art or to create a compelling story, you must willing to live a compelling life. Life imitates arts and when I originally started my creative journey I was 16 year old living in the southside of Chicago trying to find a way out. I originally started out as an aspiring music artist recording songs in my friend’s Jonathan “Johnny Yayo” Waterford basement. It was the first time in my life when I got the opportunity to express myself. I got to be a reporter for the world that I lived in. However, I didn’t exactly start living life yet! I joined the United States Navy on 2008 as a means to escape the
violence in my neighborhood and earn a living. Throughout my time in the Navy, I have traveled the world, met individuals, and observed cultures that has given me access to sociological information. My artist toolset is now multifaceted. I went from being a child in Chicago to Father and world-traveled Renaissance Man. My art has expanded from be just a musical artist to speaking the story of soul. My art now imitates my life.

Corey, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Corey The Genius. I am a digital creator and Commissioned Officer in the U.S. Navy. My content and art is gumbo consisting of the personal life experiences and the knowledge gained during my time in service. I am the creator of “The Community’s College” Podcast. The Community’s College is an audio and visual institute for higher learning were we share TMI (Thoughts, Meditations, and Inspirations). Additionally, I run a Youtube channel that provides weekly content of knowlege and thought provoking information to my subscribers. What makes my content different from other is my ability to talk and understand from different sociological lenses.

The two things I am most proud of how listener support my journey and how I had to bet on myself and say “Somebody out there needs me to speak, so do it”!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Stop trying to look pretty and start Ugly! In the beginning of my creative journey, I spent time in my office planning the finished product of my content. Even though that is a inspiring thing to do, it was really analysis paralysis disguised as brainstorming. My advice to anyone who is starting their creative journey is to “START UGLY”!

Grab the minimal items that you need to get started and start. Now! Allow the audience to grow with you as you go on your journey.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My mission for my creative journey is simple. I want to help people get P.A.I.D. My content accomplishes that goal by helping individuals develop the necessary:

1) Patience
2) Attitude
3) Intelligence
4) Discipline

We help you get P.A.I.D. in order to reach you goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://communityscollegepod.libsyn.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coreythegenius/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/corey.s.gathings
• Twitter: https://x.com/coreythegenius
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@coreythegenius?si=J4cFe9CEIguPjJ16