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.

Natalie Arriola

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is definitely my podcast called the Mujeres In The Know Podcast. Creating my podcast was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. The purpose of the podcast is to encourage, enlighten, empower, educate, entertain and inspire listeners. After giving birth to my second son, I went through a severe case of postpartum depression. I had a deep desire to use my knowledge, skills and talents but I had no idea how I was going to do that. Read more>>

Brooke Dann

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is the inner healing of myself. I know others expect me to say when I executed a great project for a business or when I was invited to the State Capital with my colleague to assist with a prominent video shoot with our company. Although those projects exposed me to the substantial aspects that being a freelance and corporate videographer holds, it doesn’t trump the feeling of taking the first step into healing myself. Read more>>

Pam Autuori

After I signed to RCA I was in sessions almost daily writing and writing. I had always written songs (and daily) but it was for a release of energy, asking questions, talking to myself in the most intimate and private way – through music. The most meaningful project to date was writing my EP Sweet, Sweet Honey. I wrote it as a way to get back to those private moments. Read more>>

Wanda Tyner

There have been many meaningful projects that I have worked on over the years including learning new techniques, experimenting and working larger to creating many challenging commissions that were very important and meaningful to the people I was making the art for. My most recent meaningful project was to create a sculpture for someone special’s wedding that could be displayed in their home afterward. Read more>>

Dolphia Arnstein

Since 2020, I have worked with 200+ clients and 300+ projects. In a way, they all are special to me because they taught me something new every time. That said, winning the Sony Alpha Female Grant in 2020 was the most meaningful project I have worked on. Read more>>

Con10der Regime

Every piece of clothing, every piece of media and art we product is done with purpose and intention. One that stands out the most was this dad-hat design we came up with a couple years ago. One of my favorite designs. It was simple but impactful! Two thunderbolts with a flame in the middle of them, embroidered on the front of the hat. The meaning behind that? Never give up. In the midst of a thunderstorm, make sure your flame continues to burn. That desire to improve and to be great, and to overcome. Never lose that. Read more>>

Denny Perdue

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is ME. Let me take you back…. As a successful professional in an industry that isn’t the most glamorous or prestigious, like not the movie style profession. You know the one we all saw in the movies from the mid to late ’90s where the extremely good-looking and dreamy star has the perfect job. He oversees this amazing staff, takes all-day lunches, and has the perfect apartment in a downtown area of New York or Chicago or something. Read more>>

Angela Perry

One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is working with the elderly community in the area of music. I decided to bring music to the elderly community in specific assisted living facilities because there is a need to bring joy and laughter. Music is one avenue that can provide this. Many musicians forget marginalized populations and concentrate solely on gaining popularity or making money and they forget to give back to the community. Read more>>

Laura Camacho

I’ve been working as a double bassist for 20 years in ensembles ranging from contemporary classical music to rock, Argentine tango, baroque, jazz, and most genres in between. Even when given deserved credit for my role in albums, instruction, or performances, the overall responsibility fell on someone else every time. For the last decade I have been developing and leading Athens Tango Project. We recently released our first EP, “Para Compartir” ( “To Be Shared “), and then continued to record additional music for the full length. Read more>>

Lisa Brown

When I was a young teen, I was raped and had my daughter at the age of 14. My mother gave up custody to the state. I had a very hard upbringing. I know how it feels to feel unsupported in life, yet have to continue to move forward with your dreams. I worked three jobs, with two children and continued to push myself through college. Read more>>

malasurfcartel.

Probably my projects Ella Lee and SINA. They have backstories to them as far as why I made them. There was a reason and intent. Almost like an outlet for me emotionally with the situations of those times that I was living and going through. Ella lee was made coming from a successful local band that did not work out and figuring out how to do it on my own. SINA. was continuing that journey and finding my sonic identity even more, while being inspired with everything that happened in my personal life in 2022. Read more>>

Steve Eubanks

While music has always been an important part of my life, I’m not what you would call a natural talent. What I discovered later in life was that the way in which I best express my creativity – my art, if you will, is not so much to make music myself, but to make instruments that others use to make the music that I love. Read more>>

Jimmy Ace Lewis

It’s a great question. I think for me the most meaningful project is what I’m working on right now. The project is a book I’m writing that we will be turning into a film. It’s called “Enter the Power Surge.” I plan on self distributing the book on Amazon and other similar sites. The film will mean a lot to be as well. I’ll be playing one of the leads. It’s a character driven story that will still entertain everyone. Be on the lookout for it on my Instagram page @JimmyAceActor17 Solid runner ups would be “The Stalker” film series I created with my mom. Read more>>

DELILA CASTRO

My most meaningful project thus far has been my podcast “The Bloom Podcast”. where we discuss self-development, wellness, and evolution. It gives local Houston women the opportunity to come onto my the platform to share their story. The Bloom Podcast was intended to be a safe space to have an open dialogue with our guest to share their journey, titles, accomplishments and to keep inspiring the next woman. Read more>>

Brandon Clarke

The latest series of art pieces I have been working on are my most meaningful to date. When I am doing a art event I tell people, ” I use to paint pretty pictures, but not anymore.” My painting style started to change when I started to look inward about who I am as a person. Was I being true to myself when I create, or do I make paintings for people to put up on their walls? Based off of those questions I decided the canvas could become a note pad, or vessel for unpacking who I am as a person. Therefore, the concepts, materials, and brush strokes on the canvas became tools to express my deepest feelings. Read more>>

Don Lee

My name is Donghoon Lee (I go by Don!) I am an art director originally from South Korea, currently based in New York. I work at YouTube Creative Studio and lead the creative side of marketing campaigns. At YouTube, as a creative art director, I mainly develop YouTube’s brand key moments such as Coachella, Artist Breakthrough Moments with Taylor Swift, BTS, and Blackpink, and creating new trends on YouTube Shorts. Read more>>

Pooneh Nik

The most meaningful project I have worked on recently is a series of paintings related to the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Kurdish woman who was killed by Iran’s Morality Police because of her improper hijab. This series of paintings is a tribute to Mahsa and all the other people who have been affected by the oppressive laws and actions of the Iranian regime. Read more>>

Paris Miles

I own a dance school. This school is called For The Love of Dance. We often do shows that raise awareness for a community issue. The issue is often overlooked or misrepresented. For several years in Franklin County there’s been a severe opioid crisis. It was noted as an epidemic. In 2018 there were an estimated 422 overdoses that resulted in deaths. In 2021, Franklin County had an estimated 825 opioid overdoses that resulted in deaths. One of those deaths in 2018 was my younger brother. However the impact is greater than my family. Read more>>

Ashanti Harris

The most meaningful project I’ve worked on is Tough Love: Atlanta. Reason being is because it’s all about love and relationships and I am most definitely a lover girl. This show navigates millennial relationships through life and love. The different kinds of relationships and how these different men and women go about love in their life. As I stated, I am a lover girl so it meant a lot to me to work on a project that shows the real depths of the differences in relationships. Read more>>

Darren Melchiorre

I’ve been an album cover designer for about 16 years, and the most meaningful project I’ve worked on is most definitely designing the album cover for Melissa Etheridge’s ONE WAY OUT album. I had been a fan of Melissa’s for years and have always been attracted to her music. It’s so raw, so personal and so emotional. Each song pulls you in and really makes you feel. Ever since I heard the “Your Little Secret” album, I was determined one day to design one of her album covers. Read more>>

Khoa Lê

Humanity music project is the first music project in my composing career. They provide emotional and human meaning. I always uphold humanity in the arts of entertainment, especially in the musical era in the US in particular and the world in general, which is diverse in music. Up until now, the world audience’s view of Asian music has often been K-POP, and I want to say that not only K-POP, we Asians also have many other aspects and are very diverse in their music. music. Read more>>

beverly diane

Although every wedding I plan becomes extremely personal to me, the most recent meaningful project was finally planning my own. After almost a decade of planning, designing, organizing, and executing dozens upon dozens of others, it was finally time to create my very own “happily ever after”. Both my husband and I are in the event industry so it was super special to finally work on ours together. Some may say we have been a reality tv show, but I know better! We are my favorite movie and I got the fairytale. Read more>>

Rico Mendoza

What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on? Tell us the backstory so we understand circumstances/context and why it’s meaningful to you. What a great question! The most meaningful project I have worked on has to be the 3 Part “BYOH” (Bring Your Own Healing) series of my podcast. I break down 3 topics that I feel are highly important if you’re trying to bring healing into your life. In the introductory episode “BYOH” I discuss the catalyst to my own personal healing journey, and how that journey has affected me and the trajectory of my life. Read more>>

Elliana Capurro

I have always had huge dreams of having some sort of store or thrift where every single item of clothing is 100% free, I mean who wouldn’t love that? In late 2022, I decided to work on making that dream a reality for those in need. I created a team and started working on making the first ever free and WELL ORGANIZED clothing drive for the students of my local college campus. We bought hangers, racks, tables, reusable shopping bags, and all sorts of supplies to ensure our “shoppers” felt taken care of. Read more>>

Alex Soto

The most meaningful project I’ve been working on and something that I am very proud of is the upcoming 6th edition of Mr Tourism World. It is a male pageant that will take place in the Philippines this January 27 until February 4th. I will be representing Cuba in this 6th edition with the hope of bringing the international title. A bit of the backstory: I found out about the pageant and the national organization: RNB Cuba with stands for Reinado Nacional de Belleza Cuba, because I follow Rubert Manuel Arias on Instagram. Read more>>

Clayton Belcher

Gosh, how do I pick just one? I try to fill as much of my time with meaningful projects as I can. Perhaps I can start with the basic principles, and then force myself just to give one example. Maybe two. Can I have two? Cheesy as they may sound, these are currently my chosen salient motivations, in order of importance:1. Love people. 2. Make things. 3. Experience the world (partly a reminder to be brave). Read more>>

Emily Latham

I’ve always loved creating things. Especially gifts that are meaningful to the recipient. I’ve made all kinds of things and explored many different art forms. When I was young I carved a wooden horse for my sister, crocheted a baby blanket for my brother, baked cinnamon rolls for my dad, woodburned a photo frame for my mom, and made countless other gifts of various materials and degrees of usefulness. As an adult I started my business woodburning kitchen utensils by hand. I began making sets of wooden spoons as wedding gifts – personalized for each couple. Read more>>

Masai Heard

The most meaningful project I’ve ever worked on has to be the one in production right now, actually. It’s called “Self-Destruction 2”, named after its 2018 predecessor. At the time, the first Self-Destruction was my first solo collection after 3-4 collab projects, the darkest, most vulnerable body of work I had ever dropped, and the birth of everything my clothing brand is & will become. Before it even came out, I knew I wanted to make a follow-up project that would get the recognition Self-Destruction didn’t receive. Read more>>

April Alsup

Someone famous once said “You don’t write because you want to say something, you write because you have something to say”. This is a good mantra for anyone considering becoming a writer. I find that the most meaningful projects are always the ones developed from our own experiences. You know, the ones we hold inside, the one’s we are obsessed with or the one’s that haunt us. Somethings you just can’t write, you have to live, and at the end of the day; those become our most meaningful projects. Read more>>

Teejay tha Protege Spoke N-Words

Spoke: We have facilitated, participated, and curated nearly a hundred events ranging from benefits concerts, toy drives and of course our regular open mic night event. If we are being honest they all provided different forms of fulfillment even with our open mic night even it bring us so much joy to say that our stage has provide a platform of many of Nashville’s up-and-coming artist to flourish and master their crafts. Read more>>

Sarah duPont

As one who has travelled to the Peruvian Amazon for many years with some of the best forest ecologists on the planet, I realized that there was a lack of knowledge about the importance of the Amazon and the implications of its destruction both locally and globally . I founded the Amazon Aid Foundation to be the bridge between the scientists and the rest of the world. Read more>>

Jason Avery

The Magic City Mural Festival in the Woodlawn Neighborhood is the project I am most proud. It started as a simple favor for a high school student looking for a spot to paint a mural in the neighborhood. My business Cottage Noir partnered with a female owned mural business, Blank Space, to make this mural happen. While planning, we decided to think really big and make this project much more impactful. Read more>>

FunnyLady Sonya D

Although I’ve worked on many projects and have appeared on many TV programs, the most meaningful project is the one I’m creating now. My “COMICSLIVVE” Talk Show. “Yes, there are some AMAZING Comedians out here and it’s great to witness their National Exposure, but there’s also MANY amazing comedians that are selling out arenas & concerts. That would be great for their own sitcom or movie…but if you’re not in blockbuster movies or have a hit show or on major tours, these artists are overlooked by the industry. This is where COMICS LIVVE come in! Acknowledging National Comedians in a Major Way! Showcasing Artists from around the world. Read more>>

Lisa Lynn Ericson

I have been a writer and poet for as long as I can remember, expressing my experiences around the globe with pencil and paper. Occasionally, I would share my poems with family and friends, never imagining a wider audience. Then, more recently, I sensed that my voice as a poet was worth sharing with the world, a lifeline of hope that prods people to courageously consider life from another perspective. I released my English poetry book, “Vibrant Simplicity,” a collection written over a period of 30 years, and it received a national award in the U.S. in 2022. Read more>>

Steve Talks Books

When I first started creating content for YouTube, I wasn’t really sure what I was doing. (In fact, I’m still not all that sure!) After building the courage to ask an author for an interview and having a great conversation with him, I realized that was what I wanted to focus on. Read more>>

Jeremy Wayne Dean

I think that I am currently undertaking the most meaningful potential project on my path. By project, I mean this part of my life. I recently moved into a new home in Flowery Branch. Coincidentally at a place called Folksong Apartments. I’m one of two community directors here and get to explore an entirely new way to exist in the world around me. I get to create comfortably, help coordinate community building activities, and connect with other creatives in the Atlanta area I otherwise wouldn’t have been in contact with. Read more>>

Wenqing Gu

The most meaningful project for me is <We Cross America>. In 2021, I graduated from Fordham University with a graduate degree in accounting. Despite my newly acquired credentials, I found myself filled with uncertainty and indecision about my future career path. I grappled with the choice between pursuing a career in accounting or following my true passion for illustration. In an effort to gain clarity and direction, my partner and I made the bold decision to relocate from New York City to San Francisco, in hopes of gaining a fresh perspective and experiencing a new way of life. Read more>>