Meet Vancouver-based Podcaster Rachel Wong
RACHEL WONG is a writer and podcaster living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She hosts the Feminine Genius Podcast.
CATHOLIC ARTIST CONNECTION asks: Do you call yourself a Catholic artist?
RACHEL WONG: The term ‘artist’ has always been one that I shy away from. As a writer, I had always leaned towards non-fiction work, which I think was fed by my interest in news and my desire to pursue journalism. I love storytelling and hearing other people’s stories, which is what led me to radio broadcast and now podcasting. Other artist friends I know actually have an artistic discipline that they practice: perhaps they are painters or visual artists, maybe they hand-letter, or maybe they dance or write music. I’ve never fit into any of those categories and because of that I always felt like I didn’t 'fit’ into the box of a Catholic artist.
What I’ve come to learn over the years, especially as I’ve worked on The Feminine Genius Podcast and refined it over time, is that regardless of whether or not I have the title of 'artist’, I still am a creator for The Creator. I create because He has enabled me to create. And whatever medium I operate in—in my case, podcasting and aural storytelling—I have a task and a call to do this for His glory. My mission for the podcast is very much wrapped into the call for my life: to proclaim God’s glory and build up His kingdom through uplifting the stories of women and shining a spotlight on the diversity of the Catholic Church, one woman at a time.
Where have you found support in the Church for your vocation as an artist?
I’ve found that when I share with people in my parish, archdiocese and beyond what I do in podcasting, a lot of people have genuine curiousity around how I got into podcasting and why I do it. To be able to give my testimony of how I was entrusted with this call and to share the great truth that God fulfills the deepest desires of our hearts and uses every talent we have has been incredibly fruitful. It’s been affirming to meet people from all over the Church who encourage my work and ask how they can support me, whether by sharing it or praying for me. Any kind of creative endeavour can be isolating, so it’s beautiful to have people reach out on their own accord and ask me how I’m doing. It’s relationships and encounters like these that nurture my vocation as an artist and creative.
Where have you found support among your fellow artists for your Catholic faith?
I am so inspired by the many Catholic artist and creative communities that have sprung up over the past few years, but particularly during this time of pandemic. Art can be such a solitary or individual practice that sometimes it can make us afraid to reach out to other artists or collaborate! Having these groups to not just talk about art (though of course, we talk about art and creativity at great length!) as well as our faith, our struggles, and our practice can be so refreshing. It’s wonderful to meet other people on the journey and have a fresh pair of eyes look over something I’ve been working on.
How can the artistic world be more welcoming to artists of faith?
Art has always been an internal, and I think some would even say intellectual, journey. It’s about discovering something new, seeing things from new perspectives, and recognizing beauty, truth and goodness. Fundamentally, I think all of us are seeking God through the work that we do, and for us artists who do have a faith, we have an opportunity to put a name to the person we’re seeking through our craft and art. I think that if the artistic world is ready and open to be more receptive and more ready to make space to have conversations about what matters to artists of faith - like the person of Jesus and His teachings - we’d be in a much better place. And similarly, we as artists of faith have to be reciprocal and be open to other perspectives, even if we don’t share them, and be ready to dialogue. Shutting people down doesn’t help us go anywhere and it certainly doesn’t help us collaborate and connect!
Describe a recent day in which you were most completely living out your vocation as an artist. What happened, and what brought you the most joy?
As a podcaster and storyteller, I find great joy in listening to people’s stories and helping them form their thoughts. Recently there was a day when I did three interviews with three different women for my show, each with different personalities, backgrounds, and topics of interest. It certainly required a lot of energy to have such full and deep conversations, three times in the same day! But it was so enriching to hear their perspectives, hear about their passions, but most importantly to see how the Lord has worked so beautifully in their lives.
I would keep encouraging anyone, as a Catholic artist of whatever medium, to keep seeking community! Art, like our Catholic faith, is not meant to be practiced alone. We are human beings who desire relationship. Keep searching for your people who will support you and carry you and inspire you! And keep tying back your art to the one who gave you your gifts in the first place: God!
