<p>NOTE: This is part 2 of our two-part series talking with Singer/Songwriter Melissa V. Cartwright. If you haven’t already, go back and listen to <a href="https://www.honestlydearlistener.com/archive/20250822/89/melissac-part-1">part 1</a> and then come back here for part 2.</p><p><br></p><p>In this follow-up conversation with Melissa V. Cartwright, we continue unpacking the process of spiritual deconstruction—especially how it reshapes the way we create. We talk about what happens when the certainty we once clung to dissolves, and how grief, disorientation, and memory show up in our art. </p><p>From “cry nights” and purity culture to unexpected dreams and desert metaphors, we explore the tension between old beliefs and creative freedom. </p><p>Ultimately, we ask: <strong>what if not knowing is a perfectly good reason to make something?</strong></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Melissa’s Bio:</strong><br>Singer, Songwriter, and Bilingual Voice and Performance Coach Melissa V. Cartwright is the founder of <a href="https://www.mvcperformance.com" target="_blank">MVC Performance</a> and the host of<em> </em><a href="https://www.mvcperformance.com/performerpodcast" target="_blank"><em>Passionate Performer PODCAST</em></a><em> </em>(in fact, <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-75-booked-blessed-and-then-im-not-what-should-i-do/id1670452920?i=1000714486893" target="_blank">Emily was a guest on her show</a>—and we’ve the episode below). With over 25 years of experience in TV, radio, studio work, and musical theatre, she helps artists step on stage with confidence—whether it’s their very first open mic or a headlining show. </p><p><br></p><p><strong>Where to find Melissa:</strong></p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.mvcperformance.com" target="_blank">www.mvcperformance.com</a><br>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mvcperformance/" target="_blank">@mvcperformance</a><br>TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@mvcperformance" target="_blank">@mvcperformance</a><br>Passionate Performer Podcast: on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/passionate-performer-podcast/id1670452920" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0PmJDc6o17XVWgRB9IlFVX" target="_blank">Spotify</a>, and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLISs-gsfvsnRr8bYLiLT-v4J95y2a2cGi" target="_blank">YouTube</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>References:</strong></p><li><ul><li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-75-booked-blessed-and-then-im-not-what-should-i-do/id1670452920?i=1000714486893" target="_blank">Emily’s episode on the Passionate Performer Podcast, aired 6/25/25</a></li></ul><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shiny-Happy-People-Teenage-Holy/dp/B0FD3G7PP7" target="_blank">“Shiny, Happy People”, Season 2: A Teenage Holy War</a> - TV series on Amazon Prime</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53138160-faith-after-doubt?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=c3fj4LW3Ht&rank=1" target="_blank"><em>Faith after Doubt: What Your Beliefs Stopped Working and What to Do about It</em></a> - book by Brian D. McLaren</p></li><li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Mania_Ministries" target="_blank">Teen Mania Ministries</a> - a now-defunct, Evangelical Christian youth organization spreading the Western evangelical, Christian faith with charismatic youth events (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Mania_Ministries#Acquire_the_Fire" target="_blank">Acquire the Fire</a>) and missions trips (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teen_Mania_Ministries#Global_Expeditions" target="_blank">Global Expeditions</a>), founded and spearheaded by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Luce" target="_blank">Ron Luce </a> - the primary organization highlighted in Season 2 of the Amazon Prime documentary <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Shiny-Happy-People-Teenage-Holy/dp/B0FD3G7PP7" target="_blank">“Shiny, Happy People: A Teenage Holy War”</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0332375/" target="_blank"><em>Saved!</em></a> - 2004 American independent satirical black comedy film directed by Brian Dannelly and starring Mandy Moore</p></li><li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focus_on_the_Family" target="_blank">Focus on the Family</a> - an American, Evangelical organization founded in 1977 by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dobson" target="_blank">James Dobson</a> that primarily lobbies against LGBT and pro-choice rights</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1282140/" target="_blank"><em>Easy A</em></a> - 2010 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Will Gluck and starring Emma Stone and Amanda Bynes</p></li><li><p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre" target="_blank">Columbine High School massacre</a> - school shooting and attempted bombing in Columbine, CO on April 20, 1999 that killed 13 students (including <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassie_Bernall" target="_blank">Cassie Bernal</a>) and 1 teacher</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/615570.The_Artist_s_Way" target="_blank"><em>The Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity,</em> book by Julia Cameron </a></p></li><p><br></p></ul><p><strong>TIMECODES</strong><br>0:00 - Intro<br>1:25 - As evangelicals, how do we enjoy making things now?<br>3:53 - Allowing ourselves to grieve<br>10:40 - Uncertainty and the unknown<br>13:59 - “I don’t know” breeds humility<br>17:17 - “Compassion led me away from the church.”<br>19:46 - What made Carrie start questioning - the Teen Mania missions trip story<br>24:34 - Christians are mean<br>26:56 - Aquire the Fire<br>29:49 - “Cry Night”<br>33:44 - Cry Night - an explanation for those who didn’t grow up weird like we did<br>37:32 - Expendable bodies in an evangelical war machine<br>41:11 - Numbness<br>42:36 - Brain versus body &amp; artists<br>44:05 - Artists need space and freedom to create</p></li>