Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Barcus.
Beth, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I knew during my master’s work that I wanted to care for people differently than in the traditional clinical model. I longed to see and serve the whole person—heart, soul, mind, and body, in a safe and confidential space where they could explore their story and place in the world without transactional exchange.
When I thought of places I wanted to invest my life‘s work, Porter’s Call was on my “list of 1”.
I have long respected our founder, Al Andrews, and his wife. Additionally, my husband, who’s worked in the music industry for 3 decades, had sent artists to Porter’s Call since its start in 2001 and saw the benefit in the lives of the artists and their family.
The fact that all services are offered free of charge sealed it for me. I’ve always felt deeply about care that’s free from financial transaction. The model here, more like friendship and a safe presence, was the perfect marriage of my passion for providing holistic care and my husband’s heart for touring and recording music artists.
When a position opened 15 years ago, I was determined to join the mission in any way I could. I started as office manager and director of operations for a year and a half before stepping into the role of Porter. I’ve had the privilege of sitting with thousands of artists and their partners—spending nearly 20,000 hours in one-on-one sessions, couples work, band meetings, groups, workshops, retreats, and intensives.
Being a Porter is like being a therapeutic midwife—coaching, guiding, supporting, and walking alongside people so they can add a new life into a chapter of their story.
Like the Porters in ancient Benedictine monasteries who welcomed weary travelers and helped them find their way, we continue that tradition here in Nashville and beyond, because we can meet artists wherever they are in the world. It’s an honor to care for the heart and soul behind the music and to be trusted with their journey.
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?
I believe most good things in life come through struggle. Like a therapeutic midwife, I’ve sat with people through their pain—many journeys are long and arduous.
My own road into this work has had its bumps. When I started at Porter’s Call, it was just our founder and me. We worked out of a little house by the railroad tracks in Franklin, doing meaningful healing work, but the need far outpaced our capacity.
As a nonprofit that offers all services free of charge, our biggest ongoing challenge has been raising the funds to keep the doors open while also keeping our focus on the care itself. Running a 501c3 and being completely reliant on donors who support the mission can be a difficult journey.
Over the years, through the support of an incredible Board and community, we’ve grown into a beautiful home with a team that has tripled in size in the past three years.
As one of the co-executive directors, I’m grateful that I still get to spend much of my time with artists and their partners as their porter, while we work hard to ensure our growth never dilutes the unique DNA that has defined Porter’s Call for 25 years.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m grateful that the music industry sees the value of what Porter’s Call uniquely offers artists and their partners.
Thanks to the generosity of music artists (creators), music industry professionals (conduits), and music fans (consumers), we can provide tailored care completely free of charge.
My work is a unique blend: sometimes I’m a coach, sometimes a counselor, sometimes a social worker, — but most often, I get to be a steady, safe, and confidential friend who can journey with these creatives for years. Can you say: Dream Job?
I get to hold space for everyone from young artists finding their way to seasoned artists seeking to stay true to themselves and remember who they are. What sets Porter’s Call apart is that artists and their partners don’t have to explain their world — we already understand it, and we tailor our care specifically to it.
As far as I know, there’s nothing else like this anywhere in the world. It’s an honor to serve in the place where my deep passion meets a real need, and I truly believe this is the last job I’ll ever have.
What does success mean to you?
I see success as being defined more by the means than the end. And the only person pursuing it can truly define it for themselves.
For an artist — It’s not streams, social media likes, money, followers, nor fame.
In my opinion, “success” is measured by contentment, healthy relationships (with self and others), and by the joy that comes from living in the intersection of, as Frederick Buechner said, “the place where my deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet”. What a privilege to be in that intersection!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.porterscall.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/porterscall/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/porterscall
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PortersCall
