Episode 44: Issa Barcelona: Introvert, Songwriter, and the Worship Leader Who Ran Away From It
Last week we talked about Aio. This week, we turn the mic to our very own Issa Barcelona (yes, the same Issa behind a lot of our Feast Worship songs) for a real, funny, and honest conversation about growing up, losing her mom, finding music, and running away from worship leading for years.
In this episode, Issa opens up about:
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- Her name, which has a whole backstory (hint: a marriage encounter retreat, a lolo named Eliseo, and a mom who couldn't talk after giving birth)
- Growing up as the youngest of three sisters, with a 14-year gap
- A childhood full of thick classics, highlighted words, and a mom who wanted her to go deep
- Being alone a lot as a kid, and how that shaped the way she thinks
- Facing a major life shift in her teens, and suddenly having to learn how to be an adult
- Being shy, "no one's going to like me" feelings, and how she handles attention
- How she fell in love with worship, from the parish choir to a communion solo at PICC
- Running away from worship leading for years (she left a message unopened in a food court!)
- What she's still learning today: being kind to herself and her work in this season
Quote of the ep:
"If this is my best work now and it's 70% of what I created in 2019 or 2017, it's still 100% today."
If you're an overthinker, a perfectionist, or someone who's afraid to put your work out there, this one's for you.
π Didn't get to ask her something? Ask Issa live! Come to our live recording on October 17, 4β7 PM at Omnia Studio. Tickets are β±450. Link's on our Instagram.
Share this with a friend who needs to hear it. See you there, donuts! π©
