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