Check Out Tanya Godsey’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanya Godsey.

Hi Tanya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Nashville in the sunrise of life, at the ripe age of 20 after being discovered by industry executives through a national songwriting competition win. an event sponsored by the Gospel Music Association. As a Pastor’s daughter, born and raised in a Mexican American immigrant mission, I always had a sense of unlikeliness, so these huge open doors were most definitely unforeseen. After decades of writing, recording and touring I began to pursue a path of creative expansion as a published author. I released my first book, Befriending God (NavPress), in February of this year. This book is for anyone who has longed to feel a deeper, more personal, connection to God in a noisy, disconnected, transactional world. I also have plans to release new original music as a companion piece.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The music industry was and is the best training ground for how to persevere through the inevitable challenges that arise when following any kind of creative call. The arts can tend to be an oversaturated market where the harsh winds of rejection can take even the most gifted artist out of commission. My best advice to anyone pursuing a God-given call is simple: don’t quit. At the end of the day, the 1% of those who have persevered over time in their respective craft are comprised of those who simply refused to allow struggles and setbacks to silence their God-given voice. These truths served me well as I set sail into the uncharted waters of the book publishing industry.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have recorded five albums as a Singer-Songwriter. I also recently released a brand-new book as a first-time published author (Befriending God | NavPress), in February of this year. One of the greatest honors I have in this season is serving as a spiritual director where I meet 1::1 with clients who need spiritual guidance in their pursuit of a deeper relationship with God. Lastly, I am the host of The Unforced Gifts, a podcast that encourages listeners to enter into the peace of a relationship-first life with God in a “do more, try harder” culture of striving (for the wrong things). In every vocational conduit, my aim is to share stories and truth with a heart for true life transformation.

I believe the work of every creative is defined by their unique perspective. The singular way in which we see the world is at the heart of our greatest contributions. One of the realities that formed my unique perspective was my upbringing in a marginalized community – a place where the hungry were fed, the lonely were placed in families, the homeless were given a home and the love of Jesus was more than just a Sunday school lesson; it was a lifestyle. This kind of first-hand Gospel immersion is pulsing through the current of every conversation and creative work I lend my voice to.

However, all work aside, I am most proud (and thankful for) my husband of 21 years and my two children. My family is my greatest treasure.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I felt very unlikely as a kid growing up. I am certain this had something to do with my oversized pink glasses, larger than life front teeth, an extremely introverted personality and a passion for few things outside of the realm of God, community and music. Aside from church community, I lived a relatively solitary life. For example, I didn’t get asked out on a first date until the age of 24. I was a very late bloomer on multiple levels. In hindsight, I’m grateful I didn’t peak in High School. I needed decades to live into the fullness of my God-given potential, and I highly recommend this pace of development. Slow and steady wins the race. I never wanted to be a household name at 25, burnout and then fade into the sunset…creatively speaking. I wanted a long, enduring body of work that would mature and improve with me, over time, and I set the trajectory for that by prioritizing my own God-given instincts over industry pace, “standards” and expectations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tanyagodsey.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanyagodsey/
• Other: https://a.co/d/5xbvXEi