EP 56: Fidelity to Your Craft with Jerald Harkness

Episode 56: Fidelity to Your Craft with Jerald Harkness 

Hosted by Katelyn Calhoun

This week on Crafted Connections, I'm joined by filmmaker, mentor, and dear friend Jerald Harkness — someone who has spent over 30 years building a career in storytelling.

Jerald and I first connected on LinkedIn in 2022, and what started as a generous outreach became one of the most meaningful professional relationships in my life. In this conversation, you'll hear that dynamic unfold — mutual respect, curiosity, and a shared love for storytelling as a vehicle for connection.

We talk about what it actually looks like to sustain a creative career over decades — not just creatively, but strategically. Because while storytelling is an art, Jerald reminds us that if you want to do this work long-term, you have to treat it like a business.

From his early days in filmmaking to producing his first feature at 21, Jerald shares what it takes to build something that lasts. We get into distribution, collaboration, and the reality that great work alone isn't enough — it has to be seen.

We also explore the nuance of creative roles — directing, producing, editing — and what it means to hold "fidelity to the narrative" and truly serve the story.

And maybe the most grounded takeaway: you can know the statistics are stacked against you… and still strategically go for it anyway.

What You'll Hear:

• Building a 30+ year career in filmmaking
• How one LinkedIn message turned into mentorship and collaboration
• Documentary storytelling as a tool for connection and community
• The difference between creating art and running a sustainable business
• Why distribution matters — great work can't sit on a hard drive
• Balancing creativity with strategy, money, and long-term thinking
• "Fidelity to the narrative. Fidelity to the budget."
• Choosing the right collaborators and trusting your gut
• Why taking yourself seriously is essential to making this your livelihood
• Knowing the statistics and choosing to become the outlier anyway

This episode is a reminder that meaningful careers aren't built overnight — they're built through consistency, curiosity, and a willingness to keep showing up.

Connect with Jerald: Instagram

Community Co-Working Monthly Kick-Off

Start the month with me! Once a month, on the first business day, we get together on Zoom to close out what just happened, set intentions for what's next, and actually work on something that matters. Quiet focus, real community, and an accountability WhatsApp group to keep the momentum going all month long. It's free. It's monthly. 👉 Sign Up!

Need Help Clarifying Your Story?

Story Strategy Sessions are designed to help you uncover your narrative, refine your messaging, and build a visibility strategy that actually feels like you.

🎥 Book your session and use code PODCAST for 25% off:
https://katelyncalhoun.as.me/story-strategy-session

Join the Conversation

📲 Instagram: @CraftedConnectionsPod
📬 DM me and tell me—what format makes you come alive when you communicate?

Crafted Connections is lovingly produced by Calhoun Creative Consulting, a strategic storytelling firm helping people and brands tell stories that resonate.

🌟 Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode.
 Keep creating. Keep connecting.