Working on something meaningful is a common desire – but how? We started asking folks to share the story of how they ended up working on a project they felt was meaningful because we wanted inspiration but also because we wondered if hearing from people from across a range of industries would help us identify patterns making it more likely for anyone to be able to find and work on projects that they would find meaningful.

Geoff Burghardt

I was approached by a friend to do an art piece for him with some walnut that came from a tree on their family farm where he and his siblings grew up. When the tree had to be taken down many years ago, my friend’s brother saved the wood in many slabs and stored them. Read More>>

Shelby Snyder

Everything that I create is meaningful in its own right because it has come from the heart. But naturally I have to pick one project which would be my Dinosaur Collection. It was created for my husband, Richard and his love of Jurassic Park. He grew up watching the movie and when he was old enough, read the book and fell in love. Read More>>

Mac McGuire

The most meaningful project that I’ve worked on was a 12-page comic titled ‘A Catalog of Changes’ that I made in the months before graduating from college. This project was my first adventure in the world of comic-making, and an experiment with narrative and visual storytelling that I was enthusiastic to tackle. Read More>>

Rahmad Hawkins

About Slyce x Hustle Emerging in 2025 from Atlanta, Georgia, United States, Slyce x Hustle blends hip hop, rap, and boom bap into a genre-defying sound. Slyce x Hustle represents the collision of legacy and hunger—two voices, one undeniable chemistry. Read More>>

Omega Uni

I mean, to date that would probably be the concept I’m currently working on. Life has been full of twist and turns these past two years. I’ve had close friends pass away, a lot of different personal trials, and also a lot of growth and maturity through the process. I wish I could give a name, but you’ll have to wait and see Read More>>

DJ $ickk

My most meaningful project that I have done to date would be my latest album called “More Life”. It means so much to me because I was inspired after the loss of my son Damari. I turned my grief into greatness and it became one my most greatest albums ever. Read More>>

T Mill

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on hands down is The St Jude Radiothon – Visiting the campus for three days and co hosting the annual radiothon has immensely changed my life. Definitely gave me a purpose to believe in and commit to. Read More>>

Jalen Thomas

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is “Faithful One,” a song I wrote that reflects my personal journey of trusting God through challenges and uncertainty. During a time when I faced trials, doubts, and moments of weakness, I began to see how God’s steady love and faithfulness never left me. Read More>>

Emily Stern

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is myself. I’ve worked for many years on expressing the truth of my inner world and soul. Truth is not an external search or something to find or acheive, but something within us to remember. Read More>>

John Serrano

Well, my ‘Alive Trilogy’ (that’s full length albums ‘Alive’, ‘Still Alive’ and ‘Come Alive’, released between April 2024 and October 2025 by British independent record label Monochrome Motif Records) are definitely the most meaningful thing I’ve done on a personal level. Read More>>

John Ramaine

My most meaningful project would be the one in which I am currently engaged. The process and effort of putting something like a feature film together has been a tremendous undertaking. The team behind it (Producers, Bob Johnston, Derek Michalak and 3090 Studios), have been supportive beyond my expectations. Read More>>

PLAE

I would say my two albums: PG2 and In Her Essence. Both albums have captured where I’m at as a creative and have been the soundtrack to all the events in my life since August 2024. It’s not necessarily biography music, but there are moments where I witness my own peaks of creative excellence. Sometimes I listen to my music and I’m astonished. Read More>>

Erica Charleston

The most meaningful project that I have worked on is the current project I am doing right now. This project is ministry through music. I am a Christian artist that has been reedemed to make a public declaration in testimony of what God has done for me. Read More>>

Ladies In Full Effect

Ladies In Full Effect is in FULL Effect. They unleashed their 3rd work of music art and their 1st FULL album (previous releases were EPs). The CHH duo is back with a variety of music for all age groups and genres. The ladies have stretched their creative abilities and added specially invited guests to feature on the album, Book of Life III. Read More>>

Amy Lynn Stevenson

This summer I had a very special commission by the Fraternal Order of the Eagles to create a massive 20’ X 99’ outdoor mural, my largest work of art to date, which was completed this summer in her hometown, Downtown Holdrege, Nebraska. My parents have both passed away and they were very beloved. Read More>>

Tara-Jean Popowich

During my time on “So you think you can dance” Canada. Week after week I was given ballroom, krump, house, tap (yes, TAP), the “kiss of death” quick step… Everything but my style. When I finally got contemporary. The choreographer was Stacey Tookey. The story line was about mental health. To a song titled “it doesn’t hurt” by Katie Thompson. This dance changed my life. Read More>>

Albert DiCesare

I often struggle to find meaning in what I do. The mental, social, and physical toll of “making” is real, and I think every creative person understands that in their own way. I’m constantly asking myself if it’s worth it to keep going. When I feel like that, I remind myself why I started, what I’m proud of, and what I’ve accomplished so far. Read More>>

Legacy Strings

Creating the quartet has been a very meaningful project! Our violinists recognized the lack of string musicians performing together in Northeast Louisiana. The Legacy Strings ‘project’was born from their realization of the need for this type of musical offering along with the increase of wedding and event venues opening throughout the area. Culture and traditions are rooted in music. Read More>>

Selena Lightfoot

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the one I’m working on right now—my EP called Heartbreak Lovergirl, which comes out this December. This project is really special to me because it reminded me why I fell in love with making music in the first place. This EP also shows my vulnerability side which I was sort afraid of showing. Read More>>

Lindsey Stringer

My most meaningful project has been my upcoming album Anastasia’s Dream. It is set to release on November 3rd. This project represents light, healing, and faith. Through my music, I share my personal journey with God, learning to love myself, and overcoming pain from unhealthy relationships and self-doubt. Creating this album took strength and perseverance. Read More>>

Chase Bradley

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on recently are 2 that come to mind. 1. I executive produced on an album titled Gandhi by 3x Grammy Award winning artist and UN goodwill ambassador Ricky Kej. This album is about compassion for humanity and shares insight and lift lessons on the father of India Mahatma Gandhi. Read More>>

Kay Melodies

I’d have to say the one I’m currently working on. I’m so comfortable with my voice and myself overall now. I’ve realized that as an independent artist I need to take full advantage of having freedom of expression and not having to have boundaries on my creativity. Real expression is what moves people anyway. Read More>>

Amina Kargbo

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on has been with Kate’s Club, an organization supporting children and teens under 18 who are navigating the loss of a loved one. I contracted with them to guide sound baths and mindfulness session designed to help the children process grief through gentle breath work , vibration, and self-awareness. Read More>>

Cara Heard

One of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on was creating a collection of artwork for Central Georgia Cancer Care’s new Macon, GA facility. They asked for pieces that felt nothing like typical doctor office art, and I took that as an opportunity to create something bold, layered, and full of life. Read More>>

Colleen Wyse

I created the Philadelphia Trunk Show. This was an event for the professional women of Philadelphia where I showed the collections of emerging fashion designers. It was like my own QVC. We had videos, models and tons of enthusiasm from the audience! As a result, we sold more clothes for the designers than all the shops in Philadelphia combined. Read More>>

Tania Rubis

Both of my projects: The Rubis Show and Real Rich are deeply personal. They’re two sides of the same vision: to reveal what’s truly behind influence, style, and success. The Rubis Show was born from my desire to bring meaning into entertainment. On the surface, it’s red carpets, couture, and beautiful people. Read More>>

Sable Snyder Katy Hale

We have been local musicians and music educators in the Central KY area for over a decade. We have both worked in several areas of music performance, leadership and instruction independently. We started working together at Georgetown Baptist Church 7 years ago. I (Sable) am the Choir and Traditional Service Song leader and Katy is the Lead Pianist/Organist. Read More>>

Cosette Bonilla

It’s very difficult to choose a single meaningful project, since everything I do and aspire to do is important to me personally. However, one of the most meaningful experiences so far in my career as an artist was directing my first play. Read More>>

Charlene Etienne

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on so far has been leading marketing at CORPUS, a clean-beauty brand based in Los Angeles that creates personal care products with a strong focus on sustainability and elevated natural fragrance. This role feels deeply personal to me because it’s the culmination of how my journey in beauty began. Read More>>

Ti King

I started a podcast about recovery because I wanted to know what it was like for the people who are trying to head from an addiction. I asked around in the podcast industry pools if they produced a show about it and not a single one did. Read More>>

Matcha

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on is creating Steeped.in.Sound (S.i.S), a queer-centered community and music collective I started in San Diego. At the time, I was craving a sense of belonging that I couldn’t find in traditional nightlife spaces. Read More>>

Leanne Trivett S.

 

One of my most meaningful projects is Navigating in Traffic, a collection of black-and-white self-portraits that explore how I’ve navigated trauma, loss, and the process of survival. The series began unexpectedly in San Sebastián, Spain, in the spring of 2024. I spent my days there photographing intuitively, not knowing what I was chasing – just that something was stirring beneath the surface. Read More>>

Naomi Otsuka

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on was a play called Iekei, written and directed by Japanese director Shu Matsui, because it made me fall in love with acting. After graduating from college, I went through a period of depression, struggling with mistrust of others due to friendship issues, while also searching for my own form of artistic expression. Read More>>

William Thoms

I’ve been carefully developing a series of portraits of Black men and boys for the past 10 years under the banner of the medical term ‘Cyanosis’. This body of work currently consists of over 40 paintings and is one that I plan to continue to develop into perpetuity. This project was initiated with a painting of my sister’s oldest child, Michael Scott. Read More>>

Joee Spacey

The solo exhibitions help me display what I’m feeling and what I’ve experienced over a duration of time. To me, right now because I’m wrapping up my FIRST solo exhibition, that’s the most meaningful project I’ve worked on. To present a fleshed out idea and present it to an audience. Read More>>

Robin Owens

Every experience with the RCB has been meaningful, inspiring, providing growth. We rehearse every week, and perform 16 concerts a year, free of charge! I’ve been the conductor for 8 years, and it’s such a rewarding and meaningful experience! Read More>>

Dylan Fox

Take a moment. Think about the last time someone did a random act of kindness for you. How did it make you feel?

Chances are, it left you smiling, feeling lighter, maybe even inspired to do something kind for someone else. Read More>>

Jasmin St. Claire

A Weird Kind of Fame, my one woman show, is one of the most meaningful projects I’ve ever worked on. It’s something that will always have a special place for in my heart due to a personal connection I developed to myself and one other person who truly understood me that worked on the project. Read More>>

Sandra Rust

‘Wild And Free”, ‘ ‘Garden Of My Life’, ‘Beautiful Beautiful Butterfly’ & ‘Buzzing Silence Fill The Air’ documenting and bringing attention to the pollinators who are in need of less pesticides and more land mass to survive. Read More>>