Jade Simmons is a creative force who has made a career out of defying expectations, moving seamlessly from Rachmaninov to freestyle rap, from an audience with the President of the United States, to RUNNING for President of the United States.

In this conversation, Jade shares her remarkable journey of embracing disruption, battling stage fright, and discovering that purpose is less about what you do and more about what happens in others when you do it.

She speaks with candor about being a Black woman in the classical world, navigating elitism in the arts, and stepping into unexpected arenas like politics and ministry. We mention The Hero's Journey often on this show, and Jade's story mirrors the myths of old in more than one way.

Indeed, the journey is playing out in real time in our lives, if we have the courage to cross the threshold.

For anyone standing at the edge of change, Jade’s story is an invitation to embrace the adventure, to carve out your own niche in your industry, and to inspire a sense of purpose for those who need it most.

Episode highlights:

00:45 – How James and Jade first crossed paths at Regent University

03:15 – Jade’s unique blend of classical repertoire and hip-hop, and why it equalizes audiences

05:20 – Growing up in a civil rights family and early encounters with elitism in classical music

07:00 – Why Jade returned to school for government studies and how faith informs her work

08:55 – Confirming her 2020 run as an independent presidential candidate and what she learned on the trail

11:30 – Childhood dreams: superhero, president, or concert pianist — and discovering music as her true path

13:45 – Competitions, top schools, and the fulfillment of her dream to perform at iconic venues

17:00 – The “there must be more” moment after reaching classical milestones

18:00 – A season of stage fright that became a turning point — discovering rapport with audiences

20:00 – How speaking from the stage doubled her bookings and opened new doors

22:00 – Craving connection over perfection and breaking performance taboos

24:30 – Pushing boundaries: why she was dubbed “classical music’s #1 maverick”

26:00 – From Mozart to mashups: mixing elite and street music to shift audiences

28:15 – Defining her work as “concert adventures” — from Rachmaninoff to rap with storytelling and inspiration

29:00 – The mentor who urged her to “carve out your corner of the market” and how that shaped her path

33:00 – Creating a brand-new musical identity that welcomes diverse audiences

36:00 – The complexity of elitism, race, and classical music; learning to respond with perspective instead of offense

39:00 – Timeline of transformation: from classical purist to multi-genre performer and speaker

40:00 – Debuting as a rapper at SXSW and learning to take creative risks

41:00 – Holding onto dreams like playing Rachmaninoff’s Second Concerto and Goldberg Variations — while staying committed to her mission

42:00 – Resistance from within, from parents, and from managers — but never from audiences

44:30 – Using improvisation and audience participation as tools for transformation

45:30 – Viewing performance and speaking as ministry; awakening potential and purpose in others

47:00 – On “overcomer” stories: why her greatest obstacle was herself

48:30 – Becoming the “unicorn” in unexpected spaces and embracing courage to do what she was born to do

49:30 – Closing reflections: James ties Jade’s story to the 12-step arc of the Hero’s Journey

51:00 – Jade on telling her story, connecting with people, and living out her mission with authenticity

Jade Simmons has lived what she preaches: that disruption, when embraced, becomes a doorway to destiny. Her story moves from stage fright to standing ovations, from piano competitions to...