In this episode of Raw + Rising, Helen Hayes Award-winning artist Hassiem Muhammad and frequent collaborator of Joushua's and Mike's dives deep into the lessons learned so far in his artistic journey. For instance, the creation of his series Angels of Uptown, funded and shot during the pandemic, the project exemplifies the grit and resourcefulness required of independent artists. Or his podcast, The Actor's Instrument, which is a valuable resource for anyone navigating the entertainment industry in 2025 and beyond. Hassiem shares insights on overcoming the fear of rejection, finding unexpected funding opportunities, and leading with passion to turn bold ideas into reality. His story highlights the importance of building relationships, embracing rejection, and staying determined—even when the path seems uncertain.
Hassiem also explores how the modern creative landscape, shaped by social media and entrepreneurship, offers both unprecedented opportunities and unique challenges. He encourages artists to align their work with their values, pursue their personal interests, and challenge traditional notions of success. By asking reflective questions like, “What would you create if no one could say no?” and “What would you do if you could retire tomorrow?” Hassiem inspires listeners to reimagine their creative journeys with purpose, passion, and perseverance.
Listen now!
Hassiem's Social Media
https://www.instagram.com/hassiemmuhammad/
Hassiem's Websit
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Artist Tax Prep: Affordable tax preparation services for artists & others with self-employment income. "I've been working with them for a few years now and love them." - Mike
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Do the Thing: Co-Working Salon: Over six weeks, Mike and Joshua will lead a group of artists through the messy, exhilarating, and deeply rewarding process of getting a creative project to the next stage - whether a short film, concert, reading, play, or Youtube channel. It’s a pressure cooker of accountability and risk-taking designed to help us move our projects forward. Projects at all levels of development are welcome.
https://artists-strategy.com/do-the-thing
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“CREATIVE RISK”, is a new podcast hosted by actors Joshua Morgan and Mike Labbadia of Artist’s Strategy where they explore all things art, entrepreneurialism and everything in between. The acting industry is more volatile and competitive than ever before, therefore the artist must evolve in order to take radical ownership over their creative businesses. Each episode, Mike and Joshua will get raw and unfiltered, giving hot takes and cutting edge strategies on how to build a sustainable career in the arts.
